Snake Eve noted initially in tree (5)
I believe the answer is:
aspen
'tree' is the definition.
(aspen is a kind of tree)
'snake eve noted initially' is the wordplay.
'snake' becomes 'asp' (asp is a kind of snake).
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'eve noted' is 'en'.
'asp'+'en'='ASPEN'
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for aspen that I've seen before include "city in Colorado" , "quill-like?" , "Tree that quivers" , "winter resort" , "Colorado winter sports town" .)