In the forest, square and in schools but no longer in pubs?
I believe the answer is:
ashtrays
'pubs?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ashtrays that I've seen before include "where fags end up" , "Receptacles for smokers" , "smokers' necessities" , "Receptacles removed from pub" , "butts in these?" .)