Crossword Genius

Area that's dry up tree (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ash

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'tree' is the definition.
(ash tree is a kind of tree)

'area that's dry up' is the wordplay.
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'that's dry up' becomes 'sh' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'a'+'sh'='ASH'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ash that I've seen before include "Fire's remains" , "Burnt remains; tree" , "Result of burning - deciduous tree" , "blonde" , "Woodland tree; result of burning" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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