Do You Have to Water a Money Tree in Animal Crossing?
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The straightforward answer is no, you do not need to water a money tree in Animal Crossing. Unlike other plants and crops in the game, money trees grow entirely on their own. There’s absolutely no benefit to watering a money tree at any stage of its growth, and the game mechanics do not require or encourage you to do so. Your only role in nurturing a money tree is choosing the location carefully and then waiting for it to mature. This makes growing money trees a delightfully hands-off, but potentially very lucrative, activity in the game. The focus is on the initial planting and then letting the natural (in-game) processes take their course. So relax, save your watering can for your flowers, and let your money tree grow!
Understanding Money Tree Growth in Animal Crossing
Money trees are a unique feature in Animal Crossing that allows players to generate extra bells. They are not affected by the typical plant maintenance requirements found in the game. Once you have buried bells in a glowing spot, the tree’s growth is governed by time alone. It takes a standard three in-game days for a money tree to reach its mature state and display the three bags of bells ready for harvest. It doesn’t matter if you interact with the tree during these three days; the tree’s growth is determined the moment the bells are buried in the ground.
The Mechanics of Planting
To plant a money tree, you need to find a glowing spot on your island. This appears once daily, randomly, in your town. Digging up this spot will reveal a bag of bells. However, instead of simply pocketing the bells, you can choose to bury any amount of bells in the same spot. The amount of bells you bury affects your potential return, with varying outcomes depending on the sum. It’s essential to know that the outcome is pre-determined the moment you bury the money, so subsequent actions like watering will not change the result.
Location Matters
While watering isn’t relevant, location does play a key role in a money tree’s growth. You cannot plant a money tree too close to structures, like your house. It requires a bit of space to thrive. If you try to plant too close to a building or other obstruction, the tree might not grow, and your buried bells will be wasted. Make sure there’s ample space around the planting spot. This ensures that the game engine allows for proper growth simulation.
Harvest and Aftermath
Once your money tree is fully grown, it will display three bags of bells instead of fruit. Shaking the tree will cause the bags to fall to the ground, allowing you to collect the bells. After you’ve harvested the bells, the money tree transforms into a regular hardwood tree. It will no longer produce bells and is no different from any other hardwood tree on your island.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Money Trees in Animal Crossing
1. How Long Does it Take for a Money Tree to Grow?
A money tree takes exactly three in-game days to fully mature after you bury the bells. No actions on your part, like watering, can alter this.
2. What Happens if I Bury 99,000 Bells?
If you bury between 10,000 and 99,000 bells, there’s a 70% chance of getting 3 x 10,000-bell bags (30,000 bells total), and a 30% chance of getting triple the amount you buried. For example, If you buried 99,000, you either get 300,000 or 3 x 10,000, so always be careful, as you could have gained more if you buried less. The outcome is determined the instant the bells are buried.
3. Why Isn’t My Money Tree Growing?
There are a few common reasons why a money tree might not grow. Firstly, ensure that you planted it in a glowing spot. Secondly, make sure it is not planted too close to buildings or other obstructions. Lastly, remember that it takes three days to grow. If you’ve checked all these, wait and see if your tree matures.
4. Can I Move a Money Tree After Planting?
Yes, you can move a money tree! Once the sprout appears in the ground, you can use your shovel to dig it up and relocate it to a different spot. This can be helpful if you initially chose a poor location.
5. Can I Lose Money on a Money Tree?
Yes, you can lose money, or fail to get the highest possible return, if you bury too much money. Because there is only a 30% chance of receiving triple the amount buried. It is usually more efficient to bury 10,000, as it guarantees a 30,000 bell return, every time.
6. What Happens When My Money Tree Turns into a Regular Tree?
Once you’ve shaken all the bell bags from a money tree, it turns into a normal hardwood tree. It will no longer produce bells.
7. How Do I Find a Glowing Spot?
The glowing spot appears randomly on your island once per day. Keep an eye out for a sparkling patch of soil on the ground.
8. How Many Bells Can I Bury in a Golden Hole?
You can bury anywhere from a single bell up to 99,000 bells.
9. What Does The “Glowing Spot” Look Like?
The glowing spot is a small patch of soil that sparkles. It stands out against the regular ground, making it easy to spot.
10. Is There a Limit to How Many Money Trees I Can Have?
There’s no formal limit to how many money trees you can plant, but you are limited to the number of glowing spots you encounter each day on your island.
11. Can I Time Travel to Speed up Money Tree Growth?
Yes, you can time travel forward to accelerate money tree growth. If you change your console’s clock to skip a day or two, your money tree will grow faster.
12. What Should I Do if I Can’t Bury Bells in the Glowing Spot?
First, make sure you are facing the glowing spot and have a shovel equipped. Also, ensure you’ve taken the bells out of your wallet and placed them in your pockets so they are selected as a usable item. You must select the bells in your pockets and use the option to bury, not simply dig with a shovel.
13. Are There Any Hidden Tricks for Money Tree Growth?
There are no hidden tricks that accelerate or alter the way the game is coded. Money tree growth is solely dictated by time and location. Watering does nothing, and the amount you bury will only change the amount you get if you get the 30% bonus multiplier and bury under 33,333 bells.
14. Can I Get More Than Three Bell Bags from a Money Tree?
No, you can only get three bags of bells from a money tree. There are no instances when more bell bags are awarded.
15. Is There a “Money Tree Myth” in Animal Crossing?
While there are real-world myths about money trees as symbols of fortune, in Animal Crossing, there are no mythical elements attached to it. It’s purely a gameplay mechanism for earning bells. It’s purely a method for gaining a substantial amount of bells, in a reliable way.
By understanding these details, you can effectively cultivate money trees in Animal Crossing and maximize your earnings without needing to water them at all.