Short coat placed in tree fern (6)

I believe the answer is:

reefer

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

'short coat' is the definition.
'reefer' can be an answer for 'coat' (thesaurus). I'm unsure of the 'short' bit.

'placed in tree fern' is the wordplay.
'placed in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'REEFER' is hidden in the letters of 'tree fern'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for reefer that I've seen before include "Midshipman (sl.)" , "Warm jacket - cannabis cigarette" , "A sailor's jacket or marijuana cigarette" , "Joint; spliff" , "habit?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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