The Ultimate Guide to Money Trees in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The highest yield you can reliably expect from a single money tree in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is 30,000 Bells, which comes from three bags of 10,000 Bells each. While it’s tempting to bury more, planting 10,000 Bells is the most strategic and reliable method to maximize your daily profit. You are guaranteed to receive a tree that will yield 30,000 Bells.

Understanding Money Tree Mechanics

Money trees are a unique feature in Animal Crossing that allows you to essentially grow money. You create a money tree by burying Bells in a glowing spot on the ground – a spot that spawns daily. The game’s mechanics are fairly straightforward; however, there are nuances that players should understand to optimize their earnings.

The 10,000 Bell Sweet Spot

The most important thing to remember is that the game rewards players consistently when burying 10,000 Bells. When you bury this amount, you have a 100% chance to grow a money tree that will yield three bags of 10,000 Bells each (for a total of 30,000 Bells). This ensures a profit of 20,000 Bells every time you grow a money tree.

The Gamble of More Than 10,000 Bells

Many players have been tempted to bury more than 10,000 Bells, hoping for a larger payout, such as 99,000 bells. While the game does allow you to bury higher amounts such as 30,000 Bells or even 99,000 Bells, the results are highly inconsistent. There’s a chance you might get three bags of the amount you buried, like three bags of 99,000 Bells if you buried that much, but it’s much more likely you will only receive 30,000 Bells back total (three bags of 10,000 Bells).

This makes burying large amounts of Bells a risky proposition, as you could potentially lose out on potential profit, getting only 30,000 bells back on an investment of 99,000. Essentially, anything over 10,000 Bells is a gamble with a low chance of a higher payout, and a higher chance of earning the standard 30,000 Bells. Therefore, 10,000 Bells is the most efficient and reliable method to maximize your money tree earnings.

Daily Limits and Tree Growth

You can only grow one money tree per day. If you bury multiple bags of bells on the same day, only the first one you plant has the potential to turn into a money tree. The others will simply be buried and won’t grow a tree. Money trees take one day to fully grow from sapling to mature tree. Once fully grown, the tree will bear three bags of Bells. When shaken, these bags will fall to the ground, and the tree becomes a normal tree and will not yield any more bells.

Relocating Money Trees

You can relocate your money tree after burying the Bells but before it grows into a tree. If you bury your Bells in an inconvenient location you can simply dig up the sapling and plant it somewhere you’d prefer, and you won’t lose the chance of it growing into a money tree.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Money Trees

Here are some frequently asked questions to provide a complete understanding of money trees in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

1. What is the absolute maximum amount a money tree can produce?

The maximum a money tree can reliably produce is 30,000 Bells from three bags of 10,000 Bells. While some players have reported getting three bags of 99,000 Bells after burying that amount, this is not consistent and the risk of simply getting 30,000 Bells is very high.

2. Is it worth burying more than 10,000 Bells?

No, it’s generally not worth it to bury more than 10,000 Bells. Burying 10,000 Bells guarantees you will receive 30,000 bells with minimal risk. Anything more is a gamble with low odds.

3. How do I find the glowing spot to plant money trees?

A glowing spot will randomly appear on your island once daily. Dig in that location to find 1,000 bells and then bury any bells you wish into that open hole for a chance to grow a money tree.

4. What is the probability of growing a money tree?

The probability of growing a money tree is 100% when you bury 10,000 bells.

5. Can I grow more than one money tree a day?

No, you can only grow one money tree per day regardless of how many bags of bells you bury.

6. Do money trees grow back after you harvest the bells?

No, once you shake the bags of bells off the tree, it becomes a normal, non-money bearing tree. It will not grow back.

7. How long does it take for a money tree to grow?

Money trees take one full day to grow from the sapling to the mature tree.

8. Can I move a money tree after I plant the bells?

Yes, you can dig up the sapling and move it to a different spot on the island, but only before it has become a mature tree.

9. Can I bury bells from my wallet?

No, you need to select the bells from your inventory. You will get a “bury in hole” option when you have a shovel out while facing the glowing hole.

10. Is there a limit to how many bells I can hold?

You can hold a maximum of 99,999 Bells in your wallet. Any excess bells will be put into a sack in your inventory, meaning you can hold much more overall.

11. Why did I receive 99,000 bells in my inventory?

If you have more than 99,999 Bells after selling items, the excess is put into a bag in your inventory.

12. What happens if I don’t pay off my loans?

Loans do not accumulate interest and do not need to be paid immediately. However, you cannot take out new loans until your existing loans are paid off.

13. Is it better to sell items or donate them to the museum?

It’s advisable to donate one of each new item to the museum for display and then sell any duplicates for bells.

14. What does a seven-leaf stem on a money tree mean?

A seven-leaf stem is incredibly rare and considered a symbol of good luck and fortune, but this is purely for the aesthetic of a real-world plant. The game doesn’t include any seven-leaf symbolism.

15. Can money trees be harmful to pets or people with allergies?

In the real world, Money Trees are generally safe for pets and those with allergies. The in-game money trees pose no risk to the players.

Conclusion

While the prospect of planting huge amounts of Bells might seem appealing for higher rewards, the most strategic and reliable way to maximize your money tree earnings in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is to bury 10,000 Bells daily. This ensures you receive 30,000 Bells back every time, giving you a consistent profit of 20,000 Bells per tree. By understanding the game’s mechanics and sticking to the 10,000 Bell method, you’ll be well on your way to financial success in your island life.