Crossword Genius

Father needs a hand to gather fruit (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

papaw

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'gather fruit' is the definition.
'papaw' can be an answer for 'fruit' (papaw is a kind of fruit). I am not sure about the 'gather' bit.

'father needs a hand' is the wordplay.
'father' becomes 'papa' (papa can mean one's father).
'needs' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'a hand' becomes 'w' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'papa'+'w'='PAPAW'

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for papaw that I've seen before include "fruit tree" , "Papaya" , "Custard apple" , "seedy article" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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