Can You Have Too Many Trees in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

Yes, absolutely, you can have too many trees in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. While trees are essential for resources, aesthetics, and island development, there is a point where an excess of trees can hinder your island’s progress and even annoy your beloved villagers. Understanding the mechanics of tree growth, limitations, and the overall impact on your island rating is crucial for any aspiring island designer. While the game doesn’t explicitly prevent you from planting an exorbitant number of trees, exceeding certain thresholds will negatively impact your island’s star rating and overall functionality.

The Impact of Too Many Trees

Having an excessive number of trees can lead to several issues:

• Reduced Island Rating: Isabelle, the resident services representative, will start pointing out that there are too many trees on your island. This lowers your island’s star rating, which is crucial for unlocking key features like the terraforming tool and achieving a five-star island.
• Limited Resource Gathering: While trees provide wood, having too many clustered together can make it cumbersome to navigate and collect these resources efficiently. You will spend more time maneuvering around trees rather than actually playing the game.
• Reduced Visual Appeal: Although some players might desire a forest-like feel, too many trees can create an overwhelming and cluttered look. It can be challenging to create defined areas and enjoy the unique features of your island when everything is blocked by trees.
• Hindered Villager Interaction: Too many trees can block villagers’ paths and make it harder to find them. It also creates a less inviting environment as villagers can get lost amongst the woods.
• Limited Space for Other Development: Trees take up valuable real estate that could be used for homes, decorative areas, farming, or other features. Over-planted trees can limit your design possibilities.
• Tree Growth Issues: Trees need space to grow. If you plant them too close to buildings, other trees, cliffs, or water, they simply will not grow. This can be frustrating and inefficient.

Finding the Right Balance

So, what’s the sweet spot? While the game does not have a hard limit in how many trees you can plant, a generally accepted maximum is around 220 trees. However, aiming for the lower end of that spectrum is usually best. A more manageable number, around 190 trees, can be sufficient to achieve a five-star island rating while also allowing for sufficient space and variety on your island. It is important to remember that bushes and bamboo also count toward the tree total.

The key is finding a balance between aesthetic appeal and functionality. Strategically placing trees to create natural pathways, designated woodland areas, and beautiful scenery is vital. Don’t feel the need to pack trees wall-to-wall just to get closer to the maximum.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the ideal number of trees for maximizing resources?

For maximizing the resources produced by trees, it’s best to have about 17 regular trees. This number provides enough trees for bells, bees, and furniture without over cluttering the island.

2. How many trees have bells?

Around 10 trees will have bells when shaken daily. This is a good source of income and can contribute to paying off your home loans.

3. How many trees usually have bees?

Typically, 5 trees have beehives. Be prepared with a net to catch these bees; they can be worth a good amount at Nook’s Cranny.

4. How many trees will drop furniture?

2 trees drop a piece of furniture when shaken. This is a great way to acquire new items for decorating your home and island.

5. How much space do trees need to grow?

Trees need at least one empty tile around them in every direction to grow. They will not grow next to other trees, buildings, cliffs, or water.

6. Can I move trees after planting them?

Yes, saplings can be moved after being planted. You can dig them up with your shovel and replant them in another location. Once fully grown, however, they will not move unless you dig them up after eating a piece of fruit.

7. Is there a tree limit per acre in Animal Crossing?

While not an acre in the game, the older Animal Crossing: Wild World had a limit of 6 trees per quarter acre, equaling 24 trees per acre. This doesn’t translate directly to New Horizons but still provides a good frame of reference.

8. Can trees run out of wood in Animal Crossing?

No, trees in Animal Crossing: New Horizons will never run out of wood. You can continuously chop them with an axe to receive all three types of wood: softwood, hardwood, and normal wood.

9. Do chopped down trees grow back?

Chopped down trees do not grow back in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. They remain as stumps until you dig them up.

10. How can I get a dead tree?

You can obtain a decayed tree through crafting. It requires 10 pieces of hardwood, and you can get the recipe from a smug villager.

11. Why aren’t my trees growing?

If your trees aren’t growing, check that they are not too close to other trees, buildings, cliffs, or water. They may be blocked by a future building spot or by a visiting player.

12. How many trees do I need for a 5-star island?

To achieve a five-star island rating, you generally need between 190-220 trees. However, the total number also considers other island features.

13. Does Isabelle give you non-native fruit?

Yes, early in the game, Isabelle might give you a basket of non-native fruit as a reward for completing a task. This can be used to start your orchard.

14. How do I get a money tree?

You can grow a money tree by burying a bag of bells in a glowing hole. The tree will then sprout three bags of bells based on the amount you buried.

15. What happens if I bury too many bells?

If you bury over 10,000 bells, you risk only getting 30,000 bells back. While it is not guaranteed, there is a chance of getting 3x the amount you buried, up to 99,000 bells.

Conclusion

In summary, while you can technically plant a vast number of trees in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, having too many trees is detrimental to your island’s overall rating and functionality. Aim for a balance between resource gathering, aesthetics, and functionality by limiting the number of trees and strategically placing them. A good number to shoot for is around 190-220 trees, remembering that bushes and bamboo also count towards this total. This will help ensure your island can reach its full potential and truly become the paradise you envision!