Crossword Genius

Solid mass next to tree (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

firm

'solid' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'mass next to tree' is the wordplay.
'mass' becomes 'm' (symbol used in Physics e.g. f=ma).
'next to' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'tree' becomes 'fir' (fir is a kind of tree).
'm' put after 'fir' is 'FIRM'.

(Other definitions for firm that I've seen before include "Unyielding; company" , "Steady kind of business" , "Well-established - business" , "Unyielding business concern?" , "Not soft or yielding to pressure" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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