Birching's a corporal punishment with a birch rod, typically applied to the recipient's bare buttocks, although occasionally to the back and/or shoulders. Implement A birch rod (often shortened to "birch")'s a bundle of leafless twigs bound together to form an implement for flagellation. Contrary to what the name suggests, a birch rod isn't a single rod and isn't necessarily made from a birch tree, but can also be made from various other strong but flexible trees or shrubs, such as willow. A ha… (More on Birching)