He hugs tree — time for protection on top (6)
I believe the answer is:
helmet
'he hugs tree aeur' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.
'time for protection on top' is the wordplay.
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'for' means one lot of letters go next to another (I've seen this in other clues).
'protection' becomes 'helm' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'on' becomes 're' (regarding).
'top' means to remove the first letter.
're' with its first letter taken off is 'e'.
'helm'+'e'='helme'
't' after 'helme' is 'HELMET'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for helmet that I've seen before include "to provide capital protection" , "Police hat" , "Armour for the head" , "Safety hat" , "personal protection" .)