Has to break the wood
I believe the answer is:
ash
'wood' is the definition.
(wood from an ash tree)
'has to break' is the wordplay.
'to break' indicates anagramming the letters.
'has' is an anagram of 'ASH'.
'the' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for ash that I've seen before include "End of fire" , "Tree; cinders" , "Volcanic dust" , "Hardwood" , "In fireplace it may be" .)