All parts of the coconut palm are useful – leaves, buds, fruit, sap, roots, shells. In the countries where it is cultivated, the tree is called "the tree of a thousand uses" (in Malaysia) or the "tree of life" (in the Philippines).

Here are just some examples of how the various parts of the palm are used:

The white, fleshy part of the seed is edible and used fresh or dried in cooking.

Dried fibers of the nut can be shredded as stuffing for pillows and mattresses.

The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as an intravenous fluid.

The trunks of old mature trees provide building timbers.

The leaves provide materials for baskets, thatching materials for roofs and matting for floors.

The coir fibre is used in ropes, mats, brushes; it is also used in horticulture for making potting compost.

The dried shell of the coconut can be made into many forms of bowls, cups or storage containers.

Copra, the dried meat of the seed, is the source of coconut oil.

The roots are used as a dye.

Coconut sap is fermented to produce toddy.

The dried husk makes good firewood, while the smoke of the burning husk is a natural mosquito repellent.

Half shells are used to create the sound effect of a horse hoofbeats.