Crossword Genius

Reducing the felling (7,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cutting down

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'reducing the felling' is the definition.
'cutting down' can be an answer for 'reducing' ('cut down' can be a synonym of 'reduce'). I'm unsure of the 'the felling' bit.

'reducing the felling' is the wordplay.
'reducing' becomes 'cutting' ('cut' can be a synonym of 'reduce').
'the felling' becomes 'down' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'cutting'+'down'='CUTTING DOWN'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app