Crossword Genius

A southern hard wood (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ash

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

'a southern hard' is the wordplay.
'southern' becomes 's' (abbreviation).
'hard' becomes 'h'.
'a'+'s'+'h'='ASH'

(Other definitions for ash that I've seen before include "Tree with silver-grey bark" , "Tree - effect of burning" , "Oleaceous tree" , "It comes from volcano" , "Hardwood" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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