Crossword Genius

A tree drops on author (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

adams

'author' is the definition.
(author Douglas Adams or Richard Adams)

'a tree drops' is the wordplay.
'tree drops' becomes 'dams' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'a'+'dams'='ADAMS'

'on' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for adams that I've seen before include "Ansel --, US landscape photographer" , "Gaolers" , "revolutionary leader" , "Of untidy appearance" , "Second and sixth US president" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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