Lashes around tree (3)
I believe the answer is:
ash
'tree' is the definition.
(ash tree is a kind of tree)
'lashes around' is the wordplay.
'around' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'ASH' is hidden within 'lashes'.
(Other definitions for ash that I've seen before include "Burnt material; tree" , "Remains from the yule-log?" , "Fire's remains" , "Variety of tree" , "sort of tree?" .)