Crossword Genius

Rodent round knotty tree in peaceful place (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

retreat

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

'place' is the definition.
(I know that retreat is a type of hiding place)

'rodent round knotty tree in peaceful' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
an anagram of 'tree' is 'etre' which is located in the answer.
'rodent' could be 'rat' (rat is a kind of rodent) and 'rat' is located in the remaining letters.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for retreat that I've seen before include "snug" , "retirement" , "It may be secluded" , "unhappy manoeuvre" , "concession" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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