The writer recalled hugging large tree (3)
I believe the answer is:
elm
'tree' is the definition.
(elm is a kind of tree)
'the writer recalled hugging large' is the wordplay.
'the writer' becomes 'me' (the person who wrote the clues).
'recalled' says the letters should be written backwards.
'hugging' indicates putting letters inside.
'large' becomes 'L' (eg in clothes sizes).
'me' reversed gives 'em'.
'em' going around 'l' is 'ELM'.
(Other definitions for elm that I've seen before include "Tree for a Cockney tiller" , "Deciduous tree with rough serrated leaves" , "Kind of 19" , "Forest tree" , "Gray's rugged tree (Elegy)" .)