In the end, overwhelms forest dwellers (4)
I believe the answer is:
elms
'forest dwellers' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I can't see how one could define the other.
'in the end overwhelms' is the wordplay.
'ELMS' is hidden within the letters.
However, I'm uncertain how this is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for elms that I've seen before include "rugged feature of country churchyard" , "Mel's strange trees" , "Trees sound like Cockney steering devices" , "Deciduous trees with rough serrated leaves" , "may have many leaves" .)