noun
birch; Japanese white birch
Refers to birch trees, especially the Japanese white birch (Betula platyphylla var. japonica). Usually written in kana.
庭にカバの木を植えた。
I planted a birch tree in the garden.
カバの樹皮は白くて美しい。
The bark of the birch is white and beautiful.
Katakana spelling is common because the word is usually written in kana.
Hiragana spelling is common because the word is usually written in kana.
Rare alternative kanji form, literally 'cherry bark', but used for birch.
Specifically the Japanese white birch, while 樺 can refer to birch trees in general.
The origin is uncertain. The kanji 樺 is used specifically for birch. The reading かば may be related to かんば, an older form.