Crossword Genius

There’s no longer a tree, perhaps, in town (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

exeter

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

'town' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'there's no longer a tree perhaps' is the wordplay.
'there's' says to put letters next to each other.
'no longer' becomes 'ex'.
'perhaps' indicates anagramming the letters.
'tree' is an anagram of 'eter'.
'ex' put next to 'eter' is 'EXETER'.

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for exeter that I've seen before include "The modern Isca Dumnoniorum" , "City at S. end of M five" , "Devonshire city" , "Cathedral city of southwest England" , "Administrative centre of Devon" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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