Local offices - they bear leaves (8)
I believe the answer is:
branches
This could be a double definition.
'local offices they' is the first definition.
The definition suggests a plural noun which matches the answer.
'bear leaves' is the second definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for branches that I've seen before include "Divisions of the trunk" , "Divisions of a main stem" , "Subsidiaries" , "Divisions of a larger organization" , "Parts of a tree or of a large organisation" .)