The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word ABATIS
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More clues leading to the result ABATIS
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The straight part
We know that "Defence mechanism of trees" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case defence mechanism of trees = abatis.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ABATIS mean?
ABATIS noun- A means of defense formed by felled trees, or sometimes by bent trees, the ends of whose branches are sharpened and directed outwards, or against the enemy, and more recently fortified with barbed wire.
- In the middle ages, an officer of the stables who had the care of measuring out the provender; an avenor.
- In fortification, a barricade made of felled trees denuded of their smaller branches, with the butt-ends of the trunks embedded in the earth or secured by pickets, and the sharpened ends of the branches directed upward and outward toward an advancing enemy, for the purpose of obstructing his progress. In field-fortifications the abatis is usually constructed in front of the ditch. See fortification.
- In coal-mining, walls of cord-wood piled up crosswise to keep the underground roads open so as to secure ventilation.