What does the cryptic crossword clue "Recycled ropes - used many at first beside tree (5)" mean?

The definition is "Recycled ropes". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). OAK (synonym="tree") + UM (synonym="initial letters [at first] of each of U SED and M ANY") = OAKUM The answer is OAKUM.

Recycled ropes - used many at first beside tree (5)

Independent Cryptic #11738 | 12 Across | 2024-05-24 flower

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