Cared about softwood (5)
I believe the answer is:
cedar
'softwood' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.
'cared about' is the wordplay.
'about' is an anagram indicator.
'cared' with letters rearranged gives 'CEDAR'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cedar that I've seen before include "representative of Lebanon?" , "Raced around noble tree" , "Deodar" , "Cypress-like tree" , "Fragrant conifer" .)