Tropical tree monkey died (8)
I believe the answer is:
tamarind
'tropical tree' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'monkey died' is the wordplay.
'monkey' becomes 'tamarin' (tamarin is a kind of monkey).
'died' becomes 'd'.
'tamarin'+'d'='TAMARIND'
(Other definitions for tamarind that I've seen before include "Tropical African tree" , "Tree providing Asian flavouring" , "exotic fruit" , "evergreen" , "Large tropical seedpod with tangy pulp -- mad train (anag)" .)