Crossword Genius

Reportedly use woodland (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

weald

'woodland' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'reportedly use' is the wordplay.
'reportedly' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'use' becomes 'wield' ('wield' can be a synonym of 'use').
'wield' is a homophone of 'WEALD'.

(Other definitions for weald that I've seen before include "Fertile area between N. and S. Downs" , "Open or wooded country" , "area of woodland" , "Area of SE England" , "The ___, area between the North and South Downs" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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