Welcome, islanders! Ever found yourself staring at a stubborn tree on your Animal Crossing island, wondering how to bring it down? Whether you’re clearing space for a new building, gathering resources, or simply want to reshape your landscape, knowing the mechanics of tree felling is essential. It’s a fundamental skill that unlocks a new level of island customization and resource management.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to cut down a tree in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. From the tools you’ll need to the different types of trees and even the consequences of your actions, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to become a master of arboreal alteration!
The Essential Tools for Tree Removal
Before you can even think about felling a tree, you’ll need the right equipment. In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the primary tool for this task is the Axe. However, not all axes are created equal, and understanding their differences is key to efficient tree cutting.
Types of Axes and Their Uses
There are three main types of axes you’ll encounter in the game, each with its own durability and functionality:
- Stone Axe: This is your starter axe. It’s relatively easy to craft, requiring only wood and iron nuggets. However, its durability is quite low, meaning it will break after a limited number of uses. It’s perfect for your first few trees but quickly becomes inefficient for larger clearing projects.
- Flimsy Axe: Similar to the Stone Axe in terms of durability and ease of crafting, the Flimsy Axe is another early-game option. Its effectiveness is comparable to the Stone Axe, and it too will break after a moderate number of swings.
- Axe: This is the standard, reliable axe. Crafted with wood and iron nuggets, it offers significantly more durability than its flimsy counterparts. It’s the workhorse for most players, allowing you to chop down several trees before needing a replacement.
- Iron Axe: This is your best friend for serious tree clearing. Crafted with iron nuggets, the Iron Axe boasts the highest durability among all the axes. It can withstand a great deal of use before breaking, making it ideal for large-scale landscaping or when you need to gather a lot of wood quickly.
- Golden Axe: The legendary Golden Axe is the ultimate tool for tree chopping. While it’s challenging to obtain (requiring you to successfully chop down 100 trees with a regular axe), its durability is virtually infinite, and it has a chance to yield three pieces of wood per swing without chopping the tree down entirely. This makes it incredibly valuable for wood farming without permanently altering your island’s landscape.
Crafting Your Axes
You can craft axes at a DIY workbench. The recipes are typically learned early in the game. Keep a good stock of iron nuggets and wood on hand to ensure you can always craft a new axe when your current one wears out.
The Art of Chopping Down a Tree
Once you have your chosen axe, the process of cutting down a tree is straightforward. However, there are a few nuances to be aware of.
Step-by-Step Tree Felling
- Equip Your Axe: Open your inventory and select your axe. Choose the option to ‘Equip’ it.
- Approach the Tree: Stand in front of the tree you wish to cut down.
- Swing Your Axe: Press and hold the ‘A’ button to swing your axe. The longer you hold it, the more powerful the swing. For standard tree cutting, a single, fully charged swing is usually sufficient to register as a ‘hit’.
- Repeat Until It Falls: Continue swinging your axe at the tree. The number of swings required depends on the type of axe you are using and the type of tree (though most common trees require 3-4 swings with a standard axe).
- The Tree Falls: After a sufficient number of swings, the tree will shake and then fall to the ground.
Important Considerations During Chopping
While the process seems simple, there are a few things to keep in mind: (See Also: How Long Does It Take for Banana Tree to Grow?)
- Axe Durability: Be mindful of your axe’s durability. If it breaks mid-chop, you’ll need to craft or purchase a new one. This is where the Iron Axe or Golden Axe truly shine.
- Wood Yield: Each tree, when chopped down completely, will drop three pieces of wood. This wood is essential for crafting and selling.
- Stump: After the tree falls, a stump will remain. You can dig this up using a shovel, which will yield a small amount of Bells and remove the stump entirely.
- Eating Fruit for Power: If you want to chop down a tree in just one swing (with a non-Golden Axe), you need to eat a piece of fruit first. Eating one piece of fruit gives you enough power to chop down a tree in a single, fully charged swing. Be careful, though, as this will significantly reduce the durability of your axe, often breaking it in the process. This is useful if you want to quickly clear an area or if you don’t intend to collect the wood from that specific tree.
When and Why to Cut Down Trees
Tree cutting isn’t just about arbitrary destruction; it serves several crucial purposes in your Animal Crossing island life.
Resource Gathering
Wood is one of the most fundamental crafting materials in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. You’ll need Softwood, Wood, and Hardwood for a vast array of DIY recipes, from furniture and tools to decorative items. Cutting down trees is the primary way to acquire these resources. Different tree types yield different wood types, though common hardwood trees will give you the standard Wood and Hardwood. Softwood is typically found on cedar trees.
Island Customization and Landscaping
Sometimes, a tree is simply in the way. You might want to clear a path, make space for a new building like a shop or museum, or create a specific aesthetic for your island. Removing trees is a vital part of terraforming and redesigning your island to match your vision. Whether you’re aiming for a cozy village, a bustling city, or a serene natural retreat, strategic tree placement and removal are key.
Clearing Space for New Trees
Interestingly, you can also cut down existing trees to make room for planting new ones. This is particularly useful if you want to strategically place fruit trees or specific types of decorative trees in certain areas. Remember that trees planted from saplings will grow over time, so planning your layout is important.
Dealing with Unwanted Trees
Occasionally, trees might sprout in inconvenient locations, blocking pathways or interfering with your island’s design. Cutting them down allows you to regain control over your island’s layout and ensure everything flows according to your plan.
Trees You Shouldn’t Cut Down (or Should Be Careful With)
While the ability to cut down trees is powerful, there are some trees that you might want to reconsider felling, or at least approach with caution. (See Also: How Long Does It Take to Grow a Papaya Tree?)
Cedar Trees and Seasonal Decorations
Cedar trees are a bit different. During the holiday season (mid-December), they can be decorated with ornaments. If you shake a decorated cedar tree, you might get Festive items. If you cut down a decorated cedar tree, it won’t yield wood, but it will drop the ornaments that were on it. These ornaments are crucial for crafting holiday-themed furniture.
Money Trees
Every day, a glowing spot appears on your island. Digging this spot with a shovel will reveal 1,000 Bells. If you then bury 10,000 Bells (or more, up to 99,000 Bells) in the same glowing spot, a money tree will grow. These money trees will eventually yield three bags of Bells, usually double the amount you buried (up to a cap of 99,000 Bells per bag). Cutting down a money tree before it yields its treasure is a significant loss of potential Bells. It’s best to wait for the tree to mature, collect your earnings, and then you can decide if you want to keep it or cut it down.
Fruit Trees
Fruit trees are your primary source of fruits, which can be eaten or sold for profit. While you can cut them down, it’s generally not advisable unless you intend to replant them elsewhere or are undertaking a major island overhaul. Remember that fruit regrows every few days, so continuous harvesting is more beneficial than destruction.
Special Event Trees
During certain in-game events, like the Cherry Blossom season, you might find special trees or trees that yield unique items. Always assess the situation before cutting down any tree, especially if it’s a unique type or appears during a special period.
Advanced Techniques and Tips
Mastering tree cutting goes beyond just swinging an axe. Here are some tips to optimize your efforts.
Strategic Wood Farming
If your goal is to farm wood efficiently, you’ll want to use your Iron Axe or Golden Axe. For maximum wood yield from a single tree without chopping it down, the Golden Axe is unparalleled. With a regular axe, after eating one piece of fruit, you can chop down a tree in one swing. If you want to collect the wood *without* chopping the tree down, you can hit it three times with a regular axe, and it will yield three pieces of wood, leaving the tree intact. This is the most sustainable method for continuous wood farming. (See Also: How to Hang a Little Tikes Swing Without a Tree)
Clearing Areas Quickly
When you need to clear a large section of your island rapidly, eating a piece of fruit before each swing with your Iron Axe will allow you to chop down trees in a single hit. This is incredibly time-efficient for major landscaping projects, though it will quickly deplete your axe durability and requires a constant supply of fruit. You can then choose to dig up the stumps or leave them.
Using Shovels for Stumps
Don’t forget about the stumps! Once a tree is felled, a stump remains. You can dig this up with a shovel. This not only removes the stump but also grants you a small amount of Bells. If you’re aiming for a perfectly manicured island, clearing all stumps is essential.
The Importance of Planning
Before you start swinging wildly, take a moment to plan. Consider where you want your buildings, pathways, and decorative elements to go. Think about how trees will fit into your overall island design. Sometimes, moving a tree (by digging it up and replanting it elsewhere) is a better option than simply cutting it down.
Replanting Trees
If you cut down a tree but later decide you want one in that spot, or if you accidentally chop down a fruit tree, you can always replant. Purchase saplings from Nook’s Cranny or dig up young trees with a shovel and replant them elsewhere. Remember that trees take a few in-game days to grow to full maturity.
Managing Your Inventory
When you’re on a wood-gathering spree, your inventory can fill up quickly. Make sure you have a plan for what to do with the wood – either store it in your home, sell it, or use it immediately for crafting. If you’re clearing space, you might want to have a trash can or a drop-off point nearby.
Conclusion
Cutting down trees in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a fundamental mechanic that empowers players to shape their islands. By understanding the different axes, the simple mechanics of felling, and the strategic reasons for doing so, you can effectively gather resources and customize your virtual paradise. Remember to consider special trees like money trees and seasonal varieties, and always plan your landscaping for the best results. Happy island building!
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