Can You Plant 99,000 Bells in Animal Crossing: New Horizons? A Deep Dive into Money Trees

Yes, you absolutely can plant 99,000 Bells in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH)! This is a popular and potentially lucrative practice among players, but it comes with a degree of risk and reward. While the allure of tripling your investment is strong, it’s not a guaranteed outcome. Understanding how money trees work in ACNH is key to maximizing your profits and avoiding potential losses.

The process is quite simple. Each day, a glowing spot appears somewhere on your island. When you dig it up, you’ll receive a bag of Bells. What many players don’t realize is that you can then bury your own Bells back in that same hole to potentially grow a money tree. The crucial point lies in the amount you decide to bury and the probabilities involved.

Planting 10,000 Bells or less is a guaranteed way to grow a money tree that will yield three bags of 10,000 Bells each, for a total return of 30,000 Bells. This is the safest bet, but it also yields the smallest profit. Burying more than 10,000 Bells introduces the possibility of a greater return, but it’s not always a positive one.

Planting the full 99,000 Bells has become a common practice, but it’s important to know what this really entails.

The 99,000 Bell Gamble

When you bury 99,000 Bells, there’s a chance you could get three bags of 99,000 Bells, netting you a total of 297,000 Bells, a substantial profit. However, there’s also a chance, and a significant one, that your money tree will only produce three bags of 10,000 Bells, giving you a total of 30,000 Bells. This would be a net loss of 69,000 Bells.

The game’s code dictates that the result is determined the instant you bury the Bells. It’s not influenced by your island’s luck, the weather, or anything else. It’s simply a chance roll when you bury the money. Many players have performed tests and it is widely accepted that there is roughly a 70% chance of getting the tripled payout (3x the amount you bury) and a 30% chance of getting only 3x 10,000 bells when you bury 10,000-99,000 bells.

Maximizing Your Money Tree Strategy

Given these probabilities, some players might wonder why bother risking it. The potential for a huge profit is the main driving force. While you risk losing 69,000 Bells, the possible gain is a significant 198,000 Bells, which can go a long way in ACNH. However, a consistent strategy for maximizing money tree income is to plant 10,000 bells daily. While not as exciting as the 99,000 gamble, it does provide a guaranteed 20,000 Bell profit each day.

Remember that you can only grow one money tree per day. Therefore, if you bury multiple bags of Bells in the same day, only the first one you bury in a glowing hole will grow into a money tree. The rest will remain buried or return to your pocket. This is a key rule to remember if you have multiple glowing spots on your island and are planning to plant lots of bells in the hope of more returns.

Handling the Money Tree Once Grown

Once the money tree is fully grown (a process that takes a few days), it will bear three bags of Bells. Shake them down to collect your profits. After this, the money tree will turn into a regular hardwood tree, incapable of producing any more bells.

It’s also important to know you can move your money tree before it fully grows. If you aren’t happy with the location you have planted your bells, you can simply dig it up with your shovel and move it somewhere else, provided you do it before the tree fully grows.

The Limits of Money Trees

While you might be tempted to try, planting more than 99,000 Bells will not increase your potential return. The maximum amount a money tree can yield is three bags of 99,000 Bells, no matter how much you initially bury. This means burying 100,000 Bells or more is a complete waste.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Planting Bells in ACNH

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about money trees to further solidify your understanding:

1. Can I plant more than 99,000 Bells?

Technically yes, but there’s no benefit. The maximum payout from a money tree is 297,000 Bells (three bags of 99,000 Bells). Burying more than 99,000 Bells will not change this, and you risk losing money.

2. What is the best amount of Bells to plant?

This depends on your appetite for risk. The most reliable method is planting 10,000 Bells daily which guarantees 30,000 bells every time. If you are willing to gamble, planting 99,000 bells has the chance of the largest profit but is not guaranteed.

3. How long does it take for a money tree to grow?

It takes a few days for a buried bag of bells to grow into a mature money tree with bell bags.

4. Why did my money tree not grow?

There are a few potential reasons. You might have tried to plant it too close to a building or other obstacle, you may have already planted one that day, or you may have not planted it in the correct kind of glowing spot. If it was planted in the correct spot it would always grow within a few days.

5. Can I move my money tree after planting it?

Yes, you can move the sprout before it’s fully grown by digging it up with your shovel. However, you can’t move a mature money tree.

6. What happens after I shake the Bells off the tree?

The money tree will turn into a regular hardwood tree after you shake off the bell bags. It will not produce any more bells.

7. Can I plant multiple money trees in one day?

No, you can only grow one money tree per day. Only the first bag of bells you plant in the glowing spot will grow into a money tree. The rest will be lost.

8. Do money trees need watering?

No, money trees in ACNH do not need watering. They will grow automatically after being planted.

9. Can the weather affect money tree growth?

No, the weather in ACNH does not affect the growth of money trees.

10. What is the maximum amount of Bells I can get from a single money tree?

The maximum amount is 297,000 Bells (three bags of 99,000 Bells).

11. What happens if I plant more than 10,000 Bells?

You have a chance of receiving a multiplied return, but you also have a chance of only receiving 3 x 10,000 bells. This is why it is considered a gamble.

12. What does the glowing spot indicate?

The glowing spot indicates the location where a buried bag of Bells may have a chance of growing into a money tree. It’s also where you can dig up a free bag of Bells each day.

13. Can I plant bells in any spot on my island?

No, you must plant your Bells in the glowing dig spot that appears daily.

14. Is planting 99,000 Bells worth the risk?

This depends on your goals. If you’re risk-averse, planting 10,000 Bells is the most reliable option. If you’re seeking larger profits, planting 99,000 Bells has the potential for a large payout but isn’t guaranteed.

15. How do I know if my money tree is ready to harvest?

The tree will be fully grown and bear three visible bags of Bells on its branches.

In conclusion, planting 99,000 Bells in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a gamble with the potential for high reward but comes with a risk of loss. Knowing the mechanics and probabilities is key to making informed decisions about your money tree strategy. Choose wisely, and happy harvesting!