Crossword Genius

Once an official tree-feller? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alderman

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'once an official' is the definition.
'alderman' can be an answer for 'official' (I've seen this before). I'm not sure about the 'once an' bit.

'tree-feller?' is the wordplay.
'tree' becomes 'alder' (alder is a kind of tree).
'feller?' becomes 'man' (I've seen this in another clue).
'alder'+'man'='ALDERMAN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for alderman that I've seen before include "Member of an English city council" , "Former civic dignitary" , "Member of English county council" , "superior member of county council" , "Old municipal official" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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