Birching is 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") is a bundle of leafless twigs bound together to form an implement for administering corporal punishment. Contrary to what the name suggests, a birch rod isn't a single rod and isn't necessarily made from birch twigs, but can also be made from various other strong and smooth branches of tree… (More on Birching)