Tree is what ripped cape (8)
I believe the answer is:
hawthorn
'tree' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'what ripped cape' is the wordplay.
'ripped' is an anagram indicator (letters ripped or torn up).
'cape' becomes 'horn' (I've seen this in other clues).
'what' is an anagram of 'hawt'.
'hawt'+'horn'='HAWTHORN'
'is' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for hawthorn that I've seen before include "May-flowering small tree" , "Hedgerow bush" , "Spring-flowering small tree with small dark red fruit" , "Hedge tree" , "Hedgerow shrub" .)