Unlocking the Potential of Cedar Trees in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Cedar trees, those elegant, evergreen additions to your Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) island, serve multiple purposes beyond just aesthetics. They provide essential resources, contribute to the island’s seasonal charm, and even play a role in gameplay mechanics. So, what’s the point of having cedar trees? They provide wood, potential wasp encounters, and even special seasonal items. Their presence adds diversity to your island’s scenery, offering a different visual appeal compared to the ubiquitous fruit and hardwood trees.

Understanding the Cedar Tree Ecosystem

Cedar trees in ACNH are readily identifiable by their distinct conical shape and evergreen needles. Unlike their deciduous counterparts, they maintain their foliage year-round, providing a consistent visual element to your island’s landscape. This constant greenery is particularly welcome during the winter months, when other trees shed their leaves.

Acquiring and Planting Cedar Trees

You can obtain cedar saplings from Nook’s Cranny for 640 Bells. To cultivate a cedar tree, you need to plant the sapling on a dirt or grass tile. Unlike fruit trees, cedar trees are somewhat particular about their environment. They only grow in the northernmost third of your island where you see the snow falling during winter. Plant them in the wrong location, and they’ll remain a sapling indefinitely.

The Cedar Tree’s Role in Resource Gathering

Like other trees, cedar trees offer vital resources for crafting and island development.

• Wood: Chopping a cedar tree with an axe yields wood, softwood, and hardwood. These resources are fundamental for crafting tools, furniture, and various other items.
• Tree Branches: Shaking a cedar tree will cause tree branches to fall. These are another basic crafting material, particularly useful in the early stages of the game.
• Wasp Nests: Beware! Shaking a cedar tree may also dislodge a wasp nest. Be prepared with your net to catch the wasps, as they can be sold for a decent price or used to craft medicine if you get stung.

Seasonal Events and Cedar Trees

During specific seasonal events, cedar trees become even more valuable. They participate in item drops such as:

• Ornaments: During the winter holidays, cedar trees become adorned with lights and drop red, blue, and gold ornaments when shaken. These ornaments are essential for crafting exclusive festive DIY recipes.
• Mushrooms: In the autumn months, various types of mushrooms may spawn near the base of cedar trees. These mushrooms are used in seasonal cooking recipes and crafting projects.

Aesthetic Value and Island Customization

Beyond their practical uses, cedar trees significantly enhance your island’s aesthetic appeal. Their unique shape and year-round greenery offer a visual contrast to fruit and hardwood trees, adding depth and diversity to your landscape.

• Creating a Forest: Grouping cedar trees together can create a dense, realistic forest area, providing a natural backdrop for your island.
• Winter Wonderland: During winter, cedar trees covered in snow transform your island into a magical winter wonderland, enhancing the overall festive atmosphere.

FAQs about Cedar Trees in ACNH

Here are some frequently asked questions about cedar trees in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, to help you manage these unique trees more effectively.

1. Can I plant cedar trees anywhere on my island?

No. Cedar trees only grow in the northern part of your island where it snows during winter. If you plant a cedar sapling elsewhere, it will not grow into a full-sized tree.

2. What do cedar trees drop when shaken?

Cedar trees drop tree branches, and can potentially drop a wasp nest. During the winter holiday season, they also drop red, blue, and gold ornaments.

3. Can I move a cedar tree after it’s fully grown?

Yes, you can. To move a fully grown tree, you need to eat a piece of fruit and then dig up the tree with your shovel. You can then replant it in a new location.

4. How do I get cedar saplings?

You can purchase cedar saplings from Nook’s Cranny for 640 Bells each.

5. How much wood can I get from a cedar tree?

Each cedar tree will provide you with the 3 wood after striking the tree with an axe. The axe determines what type of wood you will get: regular, softwood, and hardwood.

6. What’s the difference between cedar trees and regular trees?

Cedar trees are evergreen and have a conical shape, whereas regular trees are deciduous and have a more rounded shape. Cedar trees also only grow in the northern region, have special item drops during the winter and may have mushrooms around it.

7. How many trees can I have on my island?

The tree limit in ACNH is 220. All trees, including fruit trees, hardwood trees, cedar trees, and bamboo, count towards this total. Baby trees do not count towards the total number of trees.

8. Are there any disadvantages to having cedar trees on my island?

The only potential disadvantage is that they take up space that could be used for other purposes. Their specific growing requirements and seasonal item drops also mean they might not always be ideal for all island layouts.

9. Can I “stunt” the growth of a cedar tree to create miniature trees?

Yes, it is possible to stunt the growth of cedar trees and create miniature versions. By planting a sapling and then planting a fruit tree directly next to it, you can prevent the cedar tree from growing fully.

10. Do cedar trees attract any specific types of bugs?

While cedar trees themselves don’t attract specific bugs besides the potential for wasps, their presence can contribute to a more diverse ecosystem on your island, which can attract a wider range of insects.

11. Do baby cedar trees count towards my overall tree count?

No. Baby/non adult trees do not count towards the 220 tree limit.

12. What happens if I plant a cedar tree somewhere that is not the northern part of the island?

If you plant a cedar sapling outside of the northern region of your island, the sapling will not grow.

13. Do cedar trees affect my island rating?

The number of trees on your island impacts your island rating. Too many trees can lower your rating, while too few can also have a negative effect. The optimal number of trees for a 5-star island rating varies.

14. Can you get special villagers by having cedar trees?

Having a variety of trees on your island can increase the likelihood of certain villagers visiting, as a diverse environment is more attractive to a wider range of species. However, no specific villager is solely dependent on cedar trees.

15. Where can I learn more about the mechanics of Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

You can find valuable information and engage with fellow players at community forums, online guides, and educational resources. Websites like Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org may offer research-based insights into game mechanics and player behavior, providing a deeper understanding of the game’s systems.

By understanding the benefits and mechanics of cedar trees, you can strategically incorporate them into your island design, enhancing both its beauty and functionality. Whether you’re looking to create a serene forest, gather essential resources, or celebrate the holiday season, cedar trees are a valuable asset in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.