Gnarly old tree I hung around (8)

I believe the answer is:

loitered

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'hung around' is the definition.
('loiter' can be a synonym of 'hang around')

'gnarly old tree i' is the wordplay.
'old tree i' anagrams to 'LOITERED'.
But, I'm not clear how the anagram is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for loitered that I've seen before include "Stood around aimlessly" , "Stood about idly" , "Dallied" , "Did tarry" , "Hung about, with intent perhaps" .)

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