Protection for a tree in the winds (6)
I believe the answer is:
helmet
'protection' is the definition.
(helmet is a kind of protection)
'a tree in the winds' is the wordplay.
'a tree' becomes 'elm' (elm is a kind of tree**).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'winds' indicates an anagram.
'the' with letters rearranged gives 'het'.
'elm' placed into 'het' is 'HELMET'.
'for' is the link.
(Other definitions for helmet that I've seen before include "Protective casing for the head" , "Hard hat" , "Armor for the head" , "Protective head-covering for armour or motor cyclist" , "Protective headgear" .)