Crossword Genius

Like hard wood (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ash

'wood' is the definition.
(wood from an ash tree)

'like hard' is the wordplay.
'like' becomes 'as'.
'hard' becomes 'h' (abbreviation used in pencil classifications).
'as'+'h'='ASH'

(Other definitions for ash that I've seen before include "Powdery residue from fire or cigarette" , "Tree with pale wood" , "Fraxinus" , "Hardwood" , "Knotty - - (Ken Dodd)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times, The Guardian, the Evening Standard, The Telegraph and The Sun.
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