It has branches in Strand we hear (5)
I believe the answer is:
beech
'it has branches' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'strand we hear' is the wordplay.
'strand' becomes 'beach' (I've seen this before).
'we hear' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'beach' sounds like 'BEECH'.
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for beech that I've seen before include "Tree variety" , "Type of tree" , "Tree (with green or copper leaves)" , "Wood" , "Deciduous tree with smooth grey bark" .)