Join together protecting area in forested country (5)
I believe the answer is:
weald
'forested country' is the definition.
'weald' can be an answer for 'country' (weald is a kind of country). I am not sure about the 'forested' bit.
'join together protecting area' is the wordplay.
'join together' becomes 'weld' (I've seen this before).
'protecting' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are held or protected).
'area' becomes 'a' (maths abbreviation).
'weld' placed around 'a' is 'WEALD'.
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for weald that I've seen before include "The ___, area between the North and South Downs" , "District between N. & S. Downs" , "Fertile Kent area" , "Fertile area between N. and S. Downs" , "Area of open or forested country" .)