Crossword Genius

Tree down — about face (4,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

blue gum

'tree' is the definition.
(blue gum is a kind of tree)

'down about face' is the wordplay.
'down' becomes 'blue' (both can mean sad).
'about' says the letters should be written backwards.
'face' becomes 'mug' (informal term for face).
'mug' in reverse letter order is 'gum'.
'blue'+'gum'='BLUE GUM'

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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