Ape skirts middle of land in covering of a forest (6)
I believe the answer is:
canopy
'covering of a forest' is the definition.
(covering formed by a forest's leaves)
'ape skirts middle of land' is the wordplay.
'ape' becomes 'copy' (synonyms).
'skirts' is an insertion indicator (skirt can mean to go around).
'middle of' indicates the central letters.
The central letters of 'land' are 'an'.
'copy' going around 'an' is 'CANOPY'.
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for canopy that I've seen before include "Hangong cover as over a bed" , "Cover above four-poster" , "Hanging cover forming shelter over bed or throne" , "Roof-like awning" , "Ceremonial covering" .)