What are the Rules for Planting Trees in Animal Crossing?
Planting trees is a fundamental aspect of life in any Animal Crossing game. Whether you’re aiming for a lush, forested island or simply want to collect bells, furniture, and other resources, understanding the rules of tree planting is crucial. In short, the rules are this: Trees in Animal Crossing require adequate space to grow, cannot be planted next to certain objects, and are subject to limitations within specific areas. Let’s dive into the specifics, ensuring your island flourishes with a healthy and vibrant canopy.
Basic Spacing Rules for Trees
The most critical rule when planting trees in Animal Crossing is spacing. Each tree needs at least one empty tile of space surrounding it to successfully grow. Think of it as a one-tile buffer in every direction: north, south, east, and west. This means that you can’t plant trees directly next to each other. If you plant saplings too close, they simply won’t grow.
It’s generally recommended to space saplings two tiles apart to ensure optimal growth and avoid any frustrating delays. While the game might technically allow you to plant them closer, adhering to the two-tile rule helps to reduce the chances of stunted growth. This will prevent issues that could interrupt the growth of your trees.
Obstacles That Prevent Tree Growth
In addition to spacing, certain objects will also prevent tree growth. Trees cannot be planted directly adjacent to:
- Water: This includes rivers, ponds, and the ocean.
- Cliffs: Planting directly next to the edges of cliffs is a no-go.
- Other Trees: As mentioned before, trees need space.
- Rocks: Trees can’t grow immediately next to naturally occurring rocks.
- Buildings: The game won’t allow you to plant a tree right next to your house, the museum, or any other structure.
- Signs: These placed decorations, along with any placed item, can also hinder tree growth.
- Bridges: Trees should not be planted in direct contact with any bridge.
Shrubs, although not trees, follow similar rules and cannot be planted directly next to the above obstacles either.
Density Limitations
There are also density limitations to keep in mind. You cannot have more than 15 saplings (including hibiscuses and trees) in a 5×5 square area. If you exceed this limit, your trees will not grow. This limitation is there to prevent overcrowding and maintains the game’s natural balance.
In Animal Crossing: New Leaf, there’s a different density rule: no more than eight trees will grow within a 7×7 square plot of land. While New Horizons doesn’t strictly follow this same rule, avoiding planting too many trees in very close proximity can help your island.
Dead Spots
It’s also worth noting that there might be dead spots on your island. These are areas where trees won’t grow, even if there appears to be adequate spacing and no surrounding obstructions. Unfortunately, there’s no fix for dead spots; they’re simply a quirk of the game’s terrain generation. Moving a sapling one tile over may be all you need to do to overcome these.
Special Considerations for Trees
Beyond the basic rules, there are a few other special factors to consider when planting trees.
Tree Types
Different types of trees have similar planting rules. These include normal trees, fruit trees, bamboo and even the newly added coconut trees! The spacing and obstruction rules remain the same.
Watering Trees
Interestingly, you do not need to water trees in Animal Crossing. Unlike flowers that need regular watering to flourish and grow, trees will grow naturally on their own after you plant them. There’s no way to speed up their growth, so simply leave them be and let them do their thing!
Cutting Down Trees
If you cut down trees, they do not grow back. They leave behind a stump which can be dug up with your shovel to give you wood. Once gone, that tree is gone for good. This adds an important consideration to when and why you should cut down trees.
Money Trees
Money trees are a fun exception. You can grow a money tree by burying a bag of Bells in a glowing spot that appears daily. The amount of bells you bury will determine how many bags will grow on the tree. One thing to note is that you can only grow one of these per day.
Tree Harvesting
Once your trees mature, you can shake them to collect fruit, bells, or even furniture. Standard trees are essential for collecting wood, which is critical for crafting. You can collect all of the items by shaking the trees once every day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions players have about planting trees in Animal Crossing:
1. Can I plant trees directly next to each other?
No, you cannot plant trees directly next to each other. Each tree needs at least one empty tile of space surrounding it on all sides.
2. How far apart should I plant trees?
It’s recommended to leave two tiles of space between trees to ensure they grow properly.
3. Can trees grow near water?
No, trees will not grow if planted directly next to water sources like rivers, ponds, or the ocean.
4. What about planting trees near cliffs?
Trees cannot grow right next to the edges of cliffs.
5. Can trees grow near rocks and buildings?
No, trees need space and cannot be planted right next to natural rocks or any buildings.
6. Is there a limit to how many trees I can plant in one area?
Yes, you cannot have more than 15 saplings (including hibiscuses and trees) in a 5×5 square area. Exceeding this limit will prevent trees from growing.
7. What are “dead spots” in Animal Crossing?
Dead spots are areas on your island where trees will not grow, even if they meet the spacing requirements. These are usually random and cannot be changed.
8. Do I need to water trees to make them grow?
No, you do not need to water trees. They will grow naturally without any watering on your part.
9. What happens if I cut down all my trees?
Cut-down trees do not grow back, and they will remain as stumps until a player removes them with their shovel.
10. Can I grow a money tree every day?
Yes, you can grow one money tree per day by burying a bag of Bells in a glowing spot on the ground.
11. How many standard trees should I have in town?
Ideally, you should have around 17 regular trees in town to maximize harvesting of bells and furniture.
12. What are perfect fruits, and how can I grow them?
Perfect fruits are special, shimmering versions of your native fruit. They can be sold for higher prices and can be planted to grow perfect fruit trees. These are rare and often come about through chance.
13. What are the benefits of planting trees?
Trees help you earn money, craft objects, decorate your island, and more. They are an essential resource in the game.
14. How many trees do I need for a 5-star island?
While the exact number is debated, you generally need about 190-220 trees, bushes, and bamboo to achieve a 5-star island rating. Isabelle will tell you if there are too many.
15. Can I plant trees right next to bushes?
Yes, you can plant trees and bushes right next to each other without any issues. This can make a pretty cool effect for decoration.
By adhering to these rules, you’ll be able to create a flourishing, vibrant island filled with trees, and take full advantage of their role in enhancing your Animal Crossing experience. Happy planting!