Physiological answer and productivity of the cultures in a traditional agroforestry system: the case of maize (Zea mays L.) associated with the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertn.) in the east zone of Burkina Faso. This study was focused on the behaviour of maize cultivated in a forest park of shea butter tree. The surfaces under the influence of shading of the two forms of canopy of this species, termed ball and brush, were compared with the zone located outside the shade of the canopy. Soil water content, growth and productivity of maize were evaluated in these zones. Rainfall was higher under the brush canopy than under the ball canopy. The soil water content appeared to be higher under the ball canopy than the brush canopy in August and September, because of the importance of the shading due to the ball canopy, which contributes to reduce transpiration of the crop and evaporation of water from the soil. Soil water matrix potential variation was higher both under the brush canopy and outside the shade of the canopy. Grain and ear yield as well as stem biomass were relatively higher under the brush canopy than the ball canopy. However they were lower under than outside the canopy.