Thank you gtanaka. The flowers are a dead ringer for false kamani [Tropical Almond - Terminalia catappa] . But, the leaves that die off turn yellow with only some taking on a light orangeish mottling. The leaves also seem to be a bit differently shaped and veined. What seems to be the greatest difference is that my tree has no sign of having produced the almond like nuts shown in many of the photos of the trees. Some of the older flower stalks have produced some very small [1/8" or less] nut-like fruit. Maybe they were not properly pollinated? I'm not sure if it is a False Kamani. But, I am positive that it is one of the Terminalia species, of which there are quite a few. Thanks again.

I am sure that warm, moist conditions at least 75F or there abouts would do it. The species is tropical, but can also be grown in subtropical areas and subtropical deserts that only occasionally get down to freezing temperatures, although the tree will defoliate with frost. Not a reliable tree where grown outside of USDA zone 10b/11 locations, and not seen much in the USA except in extreme southern Florida. Not happy with coastal California conditions either, our winters are a bit too cool and wet for it. If you do have zone 11 conditions, it handles brackish irrigation water, salty coastal winds and occasional dry periods very well, and is used a lot right near the beach in the tropics because it is so dependable there.

Terminalia catappa also grows well in Papua New Guinea where it is deciduous : leaves turn a deep crimson colour then drop - so not just deciduous in cooler climates. Tried to grow it in SE Qld - it is tres yummy, but gave it too much water and the seedlings died of phytophthera. Now that I know the problem my seedling supplier has closed and moved away [frustration] ! The 'variegation' on the leaves is, I believe, a mosaic virus which would eventually interfere with photosynthesis, but the leaves will eventually drop and renew. Only known remedy is to regularly [twice a year] dig neem cake into the ground around it - if you can get some neem cake. If anyone finds a source of seedlings let me know.

Brendan, there's an online nursery in Lismore, NSW, that offers cola nuts for sale. You'd have to pay postage (Aust Post going rate) + handling charge ($4 for the first plant) but, more importantly, I don't know if the nuts being sold are viable for germination or whether they've been dried/fumigated/processed in some way. (I suspect that they're not for growing because they're offered in the retail section, not in the nursery section of the website.) Anyway, it might be worthwhile dropping them an email (the website link is shown below). I've never dealt with this nursery so know nothing else about it. Of course, exchanging some fresh nuts/seedlings with a GardenWeb member would be the much better option ... if you can find someone who has them. Here is a link that might be useful: Medicine garden