Joiner's wife chopped tree (5)

I believe the answer is:

elder

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'tree' is the definition.
(elder is a kind of tree)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for elder that I've seen before include "Senior type of tree?" , "Senior tribal figure" , "Berry-bearing shrub" , "White-flowered tree" , "Earlier born" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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