Crossword Genius

Willow is more promising without top (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

osier

'willow' is the definition.
(I know that osier is a type of willow)

'more promising without top' is the wordplay.
'more promising' becomes 'rosier' ('rosy' can be a synonym of 'promising').
'without top' means to remove the first letter.
'rosier' with its initial letter taken away is 'OSIER'.

'is' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for osier that I've seen before include "Withy" , "Tree - Rosie (anag)" , "growing in a bed" , "Basket-maker" , "one used to get weaving?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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