Crossword Genius

Old tree likely hollow (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

elderly

'old' is the definition.
('elderly' can be similar in meaning to 'old')

'tree likely hollow' is the wordplay.
'tree' becomes 'elder' (elder is a kind of tree**).
'hollow' suggests removing the centre.
'likely' with its centre taken out is 'ly'.
'elder'+'ly'='ELDERLY'

(Other definitions for elderly that I've seen before include "over the hill" , "Mature" , "Old or ageing" , "Rather old" , "Silver" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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