How to Get Tree Stumps in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The process of getting tree stumps in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is quite simple: you need an axe, and you need to use it on a tree. Specifically, hitting a tree with any axe that can chop down trees (not the flimsy axe) twice will turn it into a tree stump. The tree will fall, and all that remains is the stump. It’s important to note that while you can harvest wood from trees by hitting them with an axe, after two hits with a proper axe (Stone Axe, Axe, or Golden Axe), the tree will inevitably become a stump.
This process is a core gameplay mechanic, allowing you to clear space on your island, obtain essential resources (wood), and even create unique landscaping opportunities. Tree stumps aren’t simply remnants; they can also attract certain insects, adding another layer of exploration to the game.
Understanding the Axe Mechanics
Before diving further into the specifics of tree stumps, let’s take a closer look at the axes in Animal Crossing: New Horizons and how they interact with trees. There are several types of axes available, and they each have different properties.
Flimsy Axe
The Flimsy Axe is the most basic axe you can craft, and it can only be used to gather wood from trees. It will not chop them down or create tree stumps. It’s primarily used for the first stages of the game.
Stone Axe
The Stone Axe is more durable than the flimsy axe and it is able to chop down trees and produce tree stumps. This is the first tool that will get you stumps on your island.
Axe
The Axe is the next upgrade in the axe tool line. Like the Stone Axe, it is able to chop trees and produce tree stumps. This axe is more durable than the Stone Axe.
Golden Axe
The Golden Axe is the most durable axe in the game and like the Stone Axe and Axe, it is also able to chop trees down into stumps. The Golden Axe also has a longer lifespan than the other axes.
Turning Trees into Stumps: Step-by-Step
Here’s a quick guide on how to get those tree stumps you’re after:
- Equip a Proper Axe: Make sure you have either a Stone Axe, Axe, or Golden Axe. The flimsy axe will not work for this purpose.
- Select a Tree: Find a tree you want to turn into a stump.
- Hit the Tree: Stand in front of the tree and use your axe. The first hit will cause wood to be collected.
- Hit the Tree Again: Hit the tree a second time. The second hit will cause the tree to fall and leave a tree stump behind.
- Stump is Ready: The tree is now a stump, and you can leave it, dig it up, or use it for other purposes, such as attracting special insects.
Why Create Tree Stumps?
You might be wondering why you’d want to have a tree stump in the first place, and the reasons are diverse:
- Clearing Space: Tree stumps allow you to remove trees from your island, thus freeing up room for houses, gardens, or other landscaping projects.
- Resource Management: While a tree stump itself does not produce more wood, the act of creating one is directly related to your need to gather wood, a crucial crafting material.
- Bug Catching: Some bugs can only be found on or around tree stumps, making them essential for completing your Critterpedia and for a fun way to interact with the game environment.
- Aesthetic Diversity: A few tree stumps can create an interesting, natural look on your island and help with building that abandoned, natural aesthetic.
FAQs About Tree Stumps in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Here are 15 frequently asked questions that players often have about tree stumps:
1. Can flimsy axes create tree stumps?
No, the flimsy axe cannot chop down trees to create tree stumps. It is only used for gathering wood. You need a Stone Axe, Axe, or Golden Axe to turn a tree into a stump.
2. Do tree stumps grow back into trees?
No, tree stumps do not grow back into trees. If you want a tree to grow in the same spot, you will need to plant a fruit (or sapling) there.
3. How do I remove a tree stump?
To remove a tree stump, you need to dig it up with your shovel. You don’t have to eat fruit beforehand to remove a stump.
4. Can villagers chop down trees and create stumps?
No, villagers cannot chop down trees or create stumps. Only the player can do that with an axe.
5. How many times do you need to hit a tree to turn it into a stump?
You need to hit a tree with a proper axe twice to turn it into a stump.
6. What bugs can be found on tree stumps?
Certain bugs, such as the Stump-loving Stink Bug, can only be found on tree stumps. The variety and types may vary depending on the time of year and weather conditions.
7. Can I move a tree after it has become a stump?
No, you cannot move a tree after it has become a stump. You must remove it by digging it up with a shovel.
8. How many tree stumps can I have on my island?
You can have as many tree stumps as you want on your island, as long as you have room for them. The number of stumps you have is only limited by how many trees you chop down.
9. Does the type of wood I get affect the type of tree stump?
No, the type of wood you get (hardwood, softwood, regular wood) does not affect the appearance of the tree stump. All tree stumps look the same regardless of the wood type.
10. Do the axes break when chopping down a tree?
Yes, all axes in Animal Crossing: New Horizons are breakable, including the Golden Axe. However, the Golden Axe lasts the longest. Axes will break over time as you use them. The Golden Axe lasts a significantly longer time than all the others.
11. Do I need to eat fruit to chop down trees and get stumps?
No, you don’t need to eat fruit to chop down trees and get stumps. Eating fruit is only needed to dig up a fully grown tree.
12. How do I plant a new tree where a stump was?
To plant a new tree where a stump was, simply dig up the stump with your shovel, and then plant a fruit in the empty space. A sapling will grow into a tree after a few days.
13. Is there any special function of the tree stump besides insects and clearing space?
No, besides attracting insects and clearing space, tree stumps don’t have any other functions in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. They are primarily remnants of felled trees and are part of the island’s visual landscape.
14. Can tree stumps be customized?
No, tree stumps are not customizable in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. You can only change their location by removing and moving them.
15. How many trees can I chop down in a day?
You can chop down as many trees as you want in a day. There is no limit on the number of trees that you can turn into stumps.