Crossword Genius

Plot with hollow lime tree (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

maple

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

'plot with hollow lime' is the wordplay.
'plot' becomes 'map' ('map' can be a synonym of 'plot'**).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'hollow' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters).
'lime' with its middle taken out is 'le'.
'map'+'le'='MAPLE'

(Other definitions for maple that I've seen before include "Its leaf is the emblem of 8 down" , "Tree cultivated for its sap" , "Tree yielding syrup" , "Syrup-yielding tree" , "Tree with winged seeds" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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