Rubbish attempt to hug tree (6)
I believe the answer is:
trashy
'rubbish attempt to hug tree' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'attempt to hug tree' is the wordplay.
'attempt to' becomes 'try' (I've seen this in other clues).
'hug' is an insertion indicator.
'tree' becomes 'ash' (ash is a kind of tree).
'try' placed around 'ash' is 'TRASHY'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for trashy that I've seen before include "Cheap, shoddy" , "Useless" , "Of no value or quality" , "Cheap - garish" , "Cheap and badly made" .)