Do You Have to Water Trees and Shrubs in Animal Crossing?
The short and direct answer is no, you do not have to water trees or shrubs in Animal Crossing. Whether you’re playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons or any other game in the series, trees and shrubs are quite resilient and grow naturally without your intervention. Unlike flowers and crops, they don’t require any watering to flourish. This is a great relief for players who prefer a low-maintenance approach to their island landscaping.
Understanding Tree Growth in Animal Crossing
The Independence of Trees
Trees in Animal Crossing are remarkably self-sufficient. Once you plant a sapling or a piece of fruit to grow a tree, you can simply leave it be. It will mature over the course of a few days, going through various growth stages until it becomes a full-sized tree. Watering does not speed up their growth, nor does it influence their health in any way. This applies to both regular trees and fruit-bearing trees.
Seasonal Flowers and Tree Growth
While regular tree growth is straightforward, some trees, such as those that display seasonal blossoms, will require a little more time. The blossoms will only appear after the trees have fully matured. In these cases, it might take a day longer for the tree to reach its full flowering potential. Even with these additional flowering phases, however, watering remains completely unnecessary.
The Impact of Tree Placement
Although trees don’t require watering, their placement is crucial. Saplings will not grow if they are planted too close to buildings, cliffs, water bodies, or other “hard” obstacles including other trees. If planted incorrectly, the saplings will die the following day. It’s advisable to choose planting locations carefully, making sure that there’s sufficient open space. Sometimes, saplings die even in what seems to be open areas, but this is not common.
The Role of Shrubs
Shrubs, similar to trees, are another type of plant that does not require watering. They can be planted and left to grow naturally without any additional maintenance. Shrubs can create wonderful barriers or add a splash of color to your island without the need for daily watering tasks. They do have certain planting restrictions, just like trees.
Focus on Flowers and Crops Instead
While trees and shrubs are independent, other plants like flowers and crops do benefit from your attention. Flowers need watering to encourage faster growth and spawning of more flowers, and to produce hybrid colors. Crops, especially after planting, benefit from daily watering, yielding more harvestable crops if watered regularly. The water can is primarily used for flowers, crops, and even weeds, which may need to be watered to grow before being picked up. This makes watering a beneficial activity in the game, even if not required by trees and shrubs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about watering, trees, and plants in Animal Crossing, to help you better navigate your island’s flora:
1. Do I need to water my trees to make them grow faster in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?
No, watering trees does not speed up their growth. Trees grow at their own pace regardless of whether you water them or not.
2. What happens if I don’t water my trees?
Nothing negative will happen. Trees grow naturally without needing any watering.
3. Do shrubs need water in Animal Crossing?
Like trees, shrubs do not need to be watered to grow. They are self-sufficient once planted.
4. How many trees can I have on my island?
There’s a tree limit of 220 in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This includes hardwood, cedar, fruit trees, and bamboo.
5. How many regular trees should I aim to have for the best harvests?
Ideally, you want 17 regular trees in your town. Approximately 10 of them will have bells, 5 usually have bees, and 2 will have furniture.
6. Can I move fully grown trees in Animal Crossing?
No, you cannot move fully grown trees. If you want to move a tree, you’ll have to cut it down and replant the sapling elsewhere.
7. What happens if a tree sapling doesn’t grow?
If a sapling doesn’t grow after planting, it’s likely placed too close to buildings, water, or other obstructions. Make sure that there is sufficient open space.
8. Do cut-down trees grow back?
No, cut-down trees do not grow back on their own in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. You’ll need to remove the stump and replant a new sapling.
9. Are trees considered plants in Animal Crossing?
Yes, trees are considered common flora in the game. They are grown by burying saplings or fruit.
10. What is the purpose of a watering can in the game if not for trees?
The watering can is used for watering flowers and crops. It is also necessary to grow weeds to be harvested as well. Watering flowers will encourage more flowers to spawn and potentially create hybrids, while watering crops will lead to bigger harvests.
11. Can I move my house in Animal Crossing?
Yes, you can move your house and other buildings in the game once you unlock the feature.
12. Do I have to eat fruit in Animal Crossing?
Eating fruit in Animal Crossing: New Horizons provides a temporary burst of super-strength, which can be used to move trees or break rocks. It is not required for survival.
13. What happens if I don’t water my flowers?
If you don’t water your flowers they will still grow and bloom, but you are not as likely to produce hybrid flowers. Watering your flowers is key to creating those rare and unique colors.
14. Is there a sprinkler I can use for watering my plants?
Yes, there is a sprinkler available in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which can be obtained from Nook’s Cranny for 1,640 Bells.
15. Should I chop down all my trees?
Chopping down trees is one of the main ways to get resources like wood. However, you may want to leave some for harvesting bells, bees, and furniture, while maintaining the aesthetic of your island.
By understanding the roles and requirements for different plants in Animal Crossing, you’ll be able to create the perfect landscape and island life for yourself. Remember, trees and shrubs are self-sufficient, allowing you to focus your watering can and time on nurturing your crops and flowers.