Find trees too rampant about area? This may be the answer (13)
![Ross](/clue/static/ross-mug.min.png)
I believe the answer is:
deforestation
'find trees too rampant about area? this' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'be the answer' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'be' could be 'rest' (resting is a kind of being) and 'rest' is present in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is present in the answer.
'answer' could be 'a' (abbreviation eg in Q and A) and 'a' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'may' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for deforestation that I've seen before include "Large-scale tree felling" , "Clearance of trees" .)