Crossword Genius

Tree in coastal stretch, we hear? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

beech

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

'tree' is the definition.
(I know that beech is a type of tree)

'stretch we hear?' is the wordplay.
'stretch' becomes 'beach' (I have seen 'Stretch of coastline' mean 'beach' so perhaps 'stretch' could also mean 'beach').
'we hear?' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'beach' is a homophone of 'BEECH'.

'in coastal' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for beech that I've seen before include "Wood" , "It has branches" , "Common forest tree" , "Deciduous tree with smooth grey bark" , "Tree with bitter 'nuts'" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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