Beg directions to cut into tree (7)
I believe the answer is:
beseech
'beg' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'directions to cut into tree' is the wordplay.
'directions' becomes 'se' (I've seen this in other clues).
'to cut into' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'tree' becomes 'beech' (beech tree is a kind of tree**).
'se' going into 'beech' is 'BESEECH'.
(Other definitions for beseech that I've seen before include "Sue" , "Beg earnestly, implore" , "petition" , "request, urgently" , "pray" .)