Learn Polish: To drzewo jest małe.

In Polish, adjectives must match the gender of the noun they describe. The noun drzewo (tree) ends in -o, which usually means it is a neuter noun. Therefore, the adjective must take the neuter ending -e, making it małe.

I've seen to used to mean 'it is'. Why does it mean 'this' here?

The word to is a bit of a multitasker! When used by itself before a noun (like in To jest pies - This/It is a dog), it just means 'this' or 'it'. But when placed directly in front of a neuter noun like in To drzewo, it points out a specific object, meaning 'this [tree]'.

Our current lesson is about expressing lack with nie ma. How would I change this sentence to say 'There is no small tree'?

Excellent question! After nie ma, the subject changes to the Genitive case. Neuter nouns and adjectives use the same Genitive endings as masculine ones. Drzewo changes to drzewa, and małe changes to małego. So you would say: Nie ma małego drzewa.

How do I pronounce the rz in the word drzewo?