A forest clearing is an area of a forest that has been cleared of trees and vegetation. The two crossword solutions for this term are 'GLADE' and 'GLEN'. A GLADE is a small open area in a forest, usually with grass and other low-growing vegetation. A GLEN is a narrow valley, often with a river running through it. Both glades and glens are typically found in forests and are areas of open space surrounded by trees.