How to Plant Money Trees in Animal Crossing: A Definitive Guide

So, you want to grow money on trees in Animal Crossing? Who doesn’t! The good news is, it’s entirely possible, though it does require a little finesse and a healthy dose of luck. The process is deceptively simple, but maximizing your returns requires understanding the underlying mechanics.

Here’s the deal, plain and simple:

1. Find a glowing spot on the ground. These spawn randomly once per day. They’re pretty hard to miss – a bright, golden shimmer will emanate from the patch of earth.
2. Dig up the glowing spot with your shovel. You’ll unearth a bag of bells. Don’t spend them just yet!
3. Re-bury bells in the same hole. This is the crucial step. The amount you bury determines how much the resulting tree will yield.
4. Wait patiently. The sapling will sprout immediately, but you’ll need to wait a few days (usually 3-4) for the tree to fully mature and bear fruit… bell fruit, that is!

That’s the bare bones of it, but now let’s delve into the nuances that separate a casual money tree grower from a true bell baron.

Maximizing Your Bell Returns: The Science of Soil and Savings

The key to successfully planting money trees lies in understanding how the game determines the amount of bells your tree will produce. There’s always an element of randomness, but by understanding the probabilities, you can dramatically increase your odds of a high-yield harvest.

• Burying 1,000 to 10,000 Bells: This is the safest bet. If you bury anything in this range, the tree will always produce three bags of bells, each containing the exact amount you buried. So, if you bury 10,000 bells, you’ll get back 30,000 bells. A guaranteed profit!
• Burying Over 10,000 Bells (Up to 99,999 Bells): This is where things get interesting and where risk and reward come into play. There’s a chance that the tree will produce three bags of bells, each containing the amount you buried. However, there’s also a significant chance it will revert to producing only three bags of 10,000 bells each (30,000 total).
• The Probability Factor: The exact probability percentages vary slightly between different versions of Animal Crossing, but generally, burying more than 10,000 bells has a higher chance of success the closer you are to 10,000. Burying 30,000 bells appears to be the sweet spot where the chance of success versus reversion to 10,000 bells is roughly equal. Burying anything significantly higher than 30,000 bells becomes increasingly risky.

The “Sweet Spot” for Bell Planting

Many players believe the optimal strategy is to bury 10,000 bells every time. While this guarantees a profit of 20,000 bells per tree, it’s a more conservative approach. If you’re feeling lucky (and have bells to spare), experimenting with burying 30,000 bells is a worthwhile gamble. Just remember there’s a decent chance it will only yield 30,000 bells in total, meaning you’ll break even.

Essential Tips and Tricks for Money Tree Mastery

• Consistency is Key: Planting a money tree every day is the best way to maximize your income. Don’t miss a single glowing spot!
• Mark Your Trees: After planting, consider placing a custom design or a small item near the sapling to help you remember where you planted it. This is especially useful if you’re planting multiple trees in a similar area.
• Time Travel Caution: While time traveling can speed up the tree growth process, it can also have unintended consequences, such as villagers moving out or turnips spoiling. Proceed with caution!
• Don’t Overcrowd: Give your money trees plenty of space to grow. Overcrowding can sometimes hinder their growth or even cause them to wither. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least one space between trees.
• Be Patient: It takes several days for the tree to mature. Don’t dig it up prematurely! The tree is ready when it visibly has three bell bags hanging from its branches.
• Replanting: Once you’ve harvested the bells, the tree becomes a normal, non-fruit-bearing tree. You can chop it down or leave it as decoration.

Avoiding Common Money Tree Mistakes

• Burying Less Than 1,000 Bells: While technically possible, this is incredibly inefficient. You’re guaranteed to get back less than you put in.
• Digging Up the Sapling Too Soon: This will reset the tree’s growth and you’ll lose your bells. Wait until the bell bags are fully formed!
• Ignoring the Glowing Spots: If you don’t dig up the glowing spot each day, you’ll miss out on the opportunity to plant a money tree.
• Over-Investing with No Backup: Don’t bury all your bells in the hopes of a massive return. Always keep a healthy cushion of bells for other expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Money Trees

1. What happens if I bury a money tree seed?

Money Tree seeds don’t exist in Animal Crossing. You need to find the glowing spot, dig up the bells, and re-bury bells in the same spot.

2. Can I move a money tree after planting it?

Yes, once the tree has fully matured and you’ve harvested the bells, you can dig it up with your shovel and move it like any other tree. However, you cannot move it while it’s still a sapling or bearing fruit (bells).

3. How do I know when my money tree is ready to harvest?

The tree is ready to harvest when it has three fully formed bags of bells hanging from its branches. The tree’s appearance changes as it grows, so it’s easy to visually track its progress.

4. Can money trees die in Animal Crossing?

Yes, like any tree, money trees can die if they’re planted in an unsuitable location or if the game glitches. Overcrowding them with other trees sometimes leads to them not growing to full maturity, though it’s rare.

5. Is it possible to get more than three bags of bells from a money tree?

No, a fully grown money tree will always produce three bags of bells. The only variable is the amount of bells in each bag, which is determined by how much you initially bury.

6. Do different villagers affect the growth of money trees?

No, villagers have no impact on the growth or yield of money trees. It’s purely based on your actions (burying bells) and the game’s built-in mechanics.

7. Can I plant money trees on the beach?

No, you cannot plant money trees on the beach. They need to be planted on grassy areas.

8. What happens if I bury 99,999 bells? Is it worth the risk?

Burying 99,999 bells is very risky. While there’s a chance you’ll get three bags of 99,999 bells (a massive profit), the probability of it reverting to three bags of 10,000 bells is quite high. It’s generally not recommended.

9. Does the season affect money tree growth?

No, the season has no effect on the growth of money trees. They grow at the same rate regardless of whether it’s spring, summer, autumn, or winter.

10. Can I use fertilizer to speed up money tree growth?

No, fertilizer has no effect on money tree growth. The only way to speed up the process is through time travel (with the associated risks) or by simply waiting.

11. What if I accidentally dig up the money tree sapling after planting?

If you accidentally dig up the sapling, you’ll lose the bells you buried. You’ll need to find another glowing spot to try again. This is why marking your planting spot can be helpful.

12. Can I plant money trees on Mystery Island Tours?

No, you cannot plant money trees on Mystery Island Tours. The glowing spots only appear on your own island.

Mastering the art of planting money trees in Animal Crossing is a rewarding endeavor. By understanding the mechanics, employing smart strategies, and avoiding common pitfalls, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a true bellionaire! Now go forth and make it rain… bells!