How to Plant New Trees in Animal Crossing: A Comprehensive Guide
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Planting trees is a fundamental and rewarding activity in the Animal Crossing series, adding beauty and functionality to your island or town. Whether you’re a seasoned villager or a newcomer, understanding how to plant and nurture trees is essential for a thriving environment. Here’s a comprehensive guide to get you started.
The basic process is straightforward: You acquire a sapling, find a suitable spot, and plant it using your inventory. However, there are a few nuances that can enhance your tree-planting experience. You can obtain saplings from Nook’s Cranny (or the equivalent store depending on the Animal Crossing game) for a small fee. Then, simply open your inventory, select the sapling, and choose “Plant”. That’s the core of it! But let’s dig deeper into the specifics.
Obtaining Saplings
Buying Saplings
The most common method to get saplings is by purchasing them. They are available at Nook’s Cranny in Animal Crossing: New Horizons for 640 Bells each, and you can buy either a single sapling or multiple at once. In older Animal Crossing titles, you would typically find them at Tom Nook’s store or a specialized garden shop. Prices vary a bit across games.
Other Methods
While buying from the store is most reliable, you can also find saplings in other ways:
- Chopping Down Trees: In some games, there is a small chance of a sapling appearing when you chop down a tree. This is particularly true in Minecraft, which can sometimes be confused with Animal Crossing.
- Exploring: Sometimes saplings may be found in treasure chests or from other special events.
- Trading: You can potentially trade with other players for specific saplings, especially if you’re looking for non-native fruit trees.
Planting Your Sapling
Choosing the Right Spot
Location is key to successful tree growth. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
- Spacing: Avoid planting saplings too close together. There is a 5×5 grid rule to adhere to in Animal Crossing, wherein you cannot have more than 15 trees or bushes within that space. Overcrowding will prevent growth.
- Obstacles: Do not plant saplings too close to buildings, cliffs, bodies of water, walls, or other “hard” obstacles. They need some free space around them to mature. This includes other fully grown trees.
- Dead Spots: There are certain “dead spots” on the island or in your town where trees simply won’t grow, no matter how much room is available. If you notice your sapling isn’t growing, try a different location.
- Fruit Trees: When planting a fruit tree, remember that they produce fruit that you will want to be able to reach.
Planting Process
- Equip the Sapling: Go into your inventory, select the sapling, and choose “Hold”.
- Select a Spot: Walk to the desired location, ensuring there are no obstructions or too many other trees nearby.
- Plant: Press “A” to plant the sapling.
- Patience: After planting, the sapling will slowly grow over the next three days to become a fully grown tree.
Watering
Interestingly, you do not need to water trees in Animal Crossing! Once planted, the trees will grow on their own naturally. You can let them develop at their own pace with no additional effort on your part.
Moving and Removing Trees
Moving Trees
If you decide you don’t like where a tree is, you can easily relocate it:
- Eat Fruit: Eat a piece of fruit to gain a temporary power boost. You can store up to ten power boosts.
- Use a Shovel: Equip your shovel and use it on the base of the fruit-bearing tree. This will dig up the entire tree without destroying it.
- Relocate: Now, the tree will be in your pocket; simply select it and plant it in a new location.
Removing Trees
If you want to get rid of a tree permanently, you can do so in one of two ways:
- Axe: Using an axe on a tree will cause it to break down, and eventually become a stump. This provides you with wood to use in crafting.
- Eating Fruit: If you use a boosted character, and dig up the tree using a shovel, it will remove the entire tree at once. You can do this regardless of whether the tree has fruit on it or not.
Once cut down, a tree will not grow back, so be sure before you remove them. If you leave behind stumps, they will continue to exist until you use your shovel to remove them. This also grants you wood.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much do saplings cost in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?
Saplings cost 640 Bells at Nook’s Cranny in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
2. Can I buy multiple saplings at once?
Yes, you can buy multiple saplings at once from Nook’s Cranny in New Horizons.
3. Do I need to water trees after planting them?
No, you do not need to water trees in Animal Crossing. They will grow naturally.
4. How long does it take for a tree to grow?
Trees grow within **3 days** after planting.
5. Can I move trees after they’ve grown?
Yes, you can move fruit-bearing trees by eating a piece of fruit and using a shovel to dig them up. This will put the tree in your inventory for relocation.
6. Can I move all types of trees?
Yes, **all fruit-bearing trees** can be moved. Regular trees do not have this ability and will become stumps when removed.
7. What is the 5×5 grid rule?
The 5x5 grid rule means you cannot have more than **15 trees or bushes within a 5x5 square area**. This rule prevents overgrowth and ensures proper tree development.
8. Can I plant trees close to buildings or water?
No, you cannot plant trees too close to buildings, walls, water, or other hard obstacles. These obstacles impede the tree’s growth.
9. What happens if I plant too many trees in one area?
If you plant too many trees in a small area, they will not grow. The game prevents overcrowding to manage resources.
10. Do cut-down trees grow back?
No, **cut-down trees do not grow back** in *Animal Crossing: New Horizons*. They remain as stumps unless removed.
11. How do I get rid of tree stumps?
You can remove a tree stump by using your shovel on it. This also rewards you with wood.
12. What kind of benefits do trees offer?
Trees provide **fruit, wood, a better island rating, and sometimes even furniture or bells**. They are also essential for certain bugs to appear.
13. Are there dead spots where trees will not grow?
Yes, there are some “dead spots” on your island or in your town where trees will not grow, even if there is room.
14. Is there a limit to how many trees I can have on my island?
Yes, in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the tree limit is 220 trees.
15. How do I get non-native fruits on my island?
You can obtain non-native fruits through several ways: boat tours with Kapp’n, mystery island tours, online trading or visiting friends’ islands. Your mailbox might even have a gift of fruit in it!
By following these guidelines, you’ll be well-equipped to grow a diverse and beautiful collection of trees in Animal Crossing, transforming your island or town into a flourishing paradise. Happy planting!