Beech or birch (4)

I believe the answer is:

tree

I believe this clue is a double definition.

'beech' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)

'birch' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)

(Other definitions for tree that I've seen before include "Chestnut or elm?" , "Plant with trunk (which families have)" , "Plane or pine, for example?" , "Stand for mugs" , "Be up a .... to be in difficulties" .)

I've seen this clue in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

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