Historic actor-manager who went bare in winter? (4)

I believe the answer is:

tree

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'historic actor' is the definition.
'tree' can be an answer for 'actor' (I've seen this before). I am unsure of the 'historic' bit.

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tree that I've seen before include "Hazel for instance" , "Eg, cypress" , "Shoe stretcher" , "Shakespearean actor" , "Elm, perhaps" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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