What Happens When You Bury 1000 Bells in Animal Crossing?
The allure of the money tree in the Animal Crossing series is undeniable. The thought of planting a small sum and watching it blossom into a bounty of bells is incredibly tempting. So, what exactly happens when you bury 1,000 bells? The answer is straightforward: if you bury 100 to 1,000 bells, you will always get a tree that yields three bags of 1,000 bells each when fully grown. This guarantees a 3,000-bell return for your initial investment. This mechanic holds true across various titles in the series, specifically New Horizons, making it a reliable method for slightly boosting your funds, especially early on.
Understanding Money Tree Mechanics
The money tree isn’t just a random occurrence; it’s a specific feature tied to a glowing spot that appears on your island every day. This glowing spot is your key to not just finding some extra bells when dug up but also to plant your own money tree.
The Glowing Spot
Each day, a glowing spot appears somewhere on your island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. When you dig this spot up, you’ll find a bag of bells. However, the real magic happens when, instead of pocketing those discovered bells, you decide to plant a new bag of bells in that same hole. It’s this second interaction, the replanting, that sets the stage for growing a money tree.
The Planting Process
After digging up the glowing spot and the initial bells, a small hole remains. To grow your money tree, you simply open your inventory, select the bag of bells you want to plant, and choose the option to “bury.” This action transforms the hole into a sapling. Over the next few days, that sapling will mature into a fully-grown tree, laden with its three money bags.
Why Plant 1000 Bells?
The benefit of planting 1,000 bells is its guaranteed return. Unlike planting larger amounts, which involves an element of chance, planting 100 to 1,000 bells ensures that you will always get three times the amount that you bury. This makes it a safe and reliable way for early-game players to get extra funds, even though the yield is relatively small.
Consistency and Predictability
For players who favor predictability, sticking to planting 1,000 bells is a wise strategy. While the potential reward may not be as high as the possibility of receiving 3 x 99,000 bells, the certainty of earning 3,000 bells makes it an attractive option.
Early Game Advantage
In the initial stages of the game, every little bit helps. The extra 2,000 bells profit from a 1,000 bell investment may not seem like much, but it’s a safe and reliable method for building your initial cash flow for essential tasks like paying off your loan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Money Trees
Here are some common questions players have about money trees, designed to help you master this unique feature of Animal Crossing:
1. What is the maximum amount I can plant to get a guaranteed return?
The maximum amount of bells you can bury to guarantee a three-times return is 1,000 bells. Planting between 100 to 1,000 bells will consistently yield a money tree with three bags of 1,000 bells each.
2. Can I plant more than 1,000 bells?
Yes, you can bury more than 1,000 bells, but the return is not always guaranteed. The results become more dependent on chance and you risk getting 3 x 10,000 instead. The amount varies, but there are specific probabilities associated with different ranges of bells.
3. What is the return rate when planting 2,000 to 9,000 bells?
When you bury between 2,000 to 9,000 bells, there is a 70% chance you will get three bags of 10,000 bells, and a 30% chance you will receive three times the amount you buried.
4. What is the return rate when planting 10,000 to 99,000 bells?
If you bury between 10,000 and 99,000 bells, there’s a 70% chance you’ll receive three bags of 10,000 bells, and a 30% chance you’ll receive three times the amount buried. So, there’s a significant risk that burying very high amounts will not be worth it.
5. What is the maximum return I can get from a money tree?
The maximum return from a single money tree is 299,997 bells. This is achieved when you bury 99,999 bells and get the 30% chance of 3x return.
6. Is it worth burying more than 10,000 bells?
Due to the high probability of receiving only three 10,000 bell bags, it’s generally not worth the risk to bury more than 10,000 bells. The chance of a high return is low. It is considered more efficient to bury 10,000 bells daily.
7. How often can I plant a money tree?
A glowing spot appears on your island once per day, which means you can only grow one money tree per day.
8. Do money trees regrow?
No, money trees do not regrow. Once you shake the money bags off, the tree becomes a normal tree. You must find another glowing spot to plant a new tree.
9. What is the golden shovel’s purpose in money tree farming?
The golden shovel is not needed for planting money trees. Any shovel works. The golden shovel is used to find gold nuggets in rocks.
10. Can I have multiple money trees growing at once?
While you can bury more than one bag of bells on your island, only one will be a money tree each day and the rest will just turn into standard trees. You can plant the same way you plant a sapling for fruit trees.
11. How long does it take for a money tree to grow?
It typically takes a few days for a money tree to fully mature. However, using time travel you can speed up the process.
12. What happens if I bury nothing in the glowing spot?
If you dig up the glowing spot but do not replant any bells in the hole, it will disappear after a short period of time.
13. Can I save a money tree if it’s not growing properly?
No, money trees cannot suffer from diseases that would require “saving” them. If they are not growing, it’s likely you didn’t plant the bells properly in the glowing spot.
14. What’s the fastest way to make bells besides money trees?
Other fast ways to make bells include:
- Selling non-native fruit
- Catching high-value bugs and fish
- Playing the stalk market (turnips)
- Selling gold nuggets
15. Can I store money if my wallet is full?
Yes, you can store your money in the ABD system at the Nook Stop. Once your wallet is full (99,999 bells), extra bells become bags in your pockets.
Understanding the mechanics of money trees in Animal Crossing can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. While planting 1,000 bells is a sure bet for a small but consistent return, other strategies can help you optimize your earnings. Happy planting!