The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word MESQUITES
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More clues leading to the result MESQUITES
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "spiny trees" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case spiny trees = mesquites.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 MESQUITES mean?
MESQUITES noun- Any of several deciduous trees of the genus Prosopis found in North America, and used as forage, which have long, beige seed/bean pods which may be dried and ground into a sweet, nutty flour.
- The wood of these trees, used for smoking food, or charcoal made from this wood.
- Country or land dominated by mesquite trees.