... control as directed, even tickling tips of the younger branches (5)
I believe the answer is:
cadet
'of the younger branches' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'control as directed even tickling tips' is the wordplay.
'tips' says to take the initial letters (tip can refer to the top end of something).
The first letters of 'control as directed even tickling' is 'CADET'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cadet that I've seen before include "One in training" , "Younger son" , "Military trainee officer" , "young soldier" , "not the heir" .)