Crossword Genius

Ditches new child in forest? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

trenches

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'ditches' is the definition.
(trench is a kind of ditch)

'new child in forest?' is the wordplay.
'new' becomes 'n'.
'child' becomes 'ch'.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'forest?' becomes 'trees' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'n'+'ch'='nch'
'nch' going within 'trees' is 'TRENCHES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for trenches that I've seen before include "The First World War was fought in these ditches" , "Ditches for soldiers" , "Long ditches cut in the ground" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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