Crossword Genius

Start to chop tree without a top (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

crown

'a top' is the definition.
(crown is a kind of top)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for crown that I've seen before include "Visible part of a tooth" , "piece of tooth" , "Hit on the head (informal)" , "Diadem" , "'Uneasy lies the head that wears a . . . . .'" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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