I think, even for a novice, I am being unusually thick this week.
Please will someone put me out of my misery.
15d Short answer involving Italian city and one in the US(9)
A?N???L?S
12a A rest cut short(7) A?????E
2d Eager individual protecting tree(2,4) O? A???
and - don't mock! -
7d Make mischief, given encouragement in plant(8)
L?R?S?U?
Thank you so much.