Crossword Genius

First light turning ornamental cherry tree leaves red to begin with (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sunup

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'first light' is the definition.
(synonyms)

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(Other definitions for sunup that I've seen before include "Literal version of dawn" , "Literal word for the dawn" , "Dawn (American)" , "time of day" , "early in America" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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