Crossword Genius

Wood that may be used for burning when hard (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ash

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'wood that may be used for burning' is the definition.
'ash' can be an answer for 'wood' (wood from an ash tree). I am not sure about the remainder of the definition.

'when hard' is the wordplay.
'when' becomes 'as' (eg 'when I walked' means 'as I walked').
'hard' becomes 'h' (abbreviation used in pencil classifications).
'as'+'h'='ASH'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ash that I've seen before include "remains after forest fire?" , "Burnt remains; tree" , "Tree; burned residue" , "It comes from volcano" , "deposit" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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