Its shade helps make a place dark (5)
I believe the answer is:
cedar
'its shade' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'helps make a place dark' is the wordplay.
'helps' indicates a hidden word (I've seen 'helping of' mean this (I've seen this in other clues)).
'CEDAR' can be found hidden inside 'make place dark'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cedar that I've seen before include "Evergreen tree" , "Raced around a mighty tree" , "may have needles?" , "Cypress-like tree" , "representative of Lebanon?" .)