Bark, and many other parts of the tree, are used in traditional and modern medicine. Quinine and aspirin, for example, are made from bark extracts. The inner bark of certain trees provides latex, the main ingredient of rubber. Acacias produce sap used in gum manufacture, and the maples of North America yield edible maple syrup. Several palms produce a watery sap which is drunk as palm wine, or can be fermented and distilled into a powerful spirit.
Many wild species are of economic importance, including the Brazil nut and maroela.
Wild fruits eaten by rural people include monkey oranges, amatungulu and wild plum. The shade of trees is welcomed by man and beast alike, providing essential shelter in the hottest climates. Trees are often used as windbreaks to shelter sensitive crops. Some species are tall and thin, others flat-topped and spreading, leaves come in every shape and size, flowers and fruits are frequently decorative. These qualities make trees ideal for beautifying gardens, cities, and even industrial estates.