Ah, the allure of a Money Tree in Animal Crossing: New Horizons! Who wouldn’t want to cultivate their very own source of Bells, the lifeblood of island living?
These enchanting trees, shimmering with potential, offer a delightful way to supplement your income and keep your Bells flowing. But like any good harvest, it requires a little know-how and a touch of green thumb magic.
This guide will walk you through every step, from finding those elusive glowing spots to maximizing your yield. Get ready to turn your island into a veritable cash crop and watch your Bell savings bloom!
The Genesis of the Money Tree: Finding the Glowing Spot
The journey to growing a money tree in Animal Crossing: New Horizons begins with a single, magical occurrence: the appearance of a glowing spot on your island. Each day, typically around sunrise, a small, pulsating area of light will emerge from the ground, usually in a random location. This is your golden ticket to a budding fortune!
Daily Occurrence and Location
You’ll find one glowing spot per day. Don’t expect it to be in the same place every time; the game likes to keep us on our toes! They can appear anywhere on your island, from the sandy beaches to the grassy fields, and even on your resident services plaza. The key is to be observant and check your island thoroughly each morning.
What to Look For
The glowing spot is easily identifiable. It’s a small patch of ground emitting a bright, golden shimmer. If you stand near it, you’ll hear a subtle, twinkling sound effect, confirming its presence. It’s important to note that these spots don’t last forever; they are a daily phenomenon that resets with the in-game day.
The Importance of Digging
Once you’ve spotted the glowing anomaly, grab your trusty shovel. The act of digging up this spot is crucial. When you dig, you’ll uncover a bag of 1,000 Bells. This is your initial reward for finding the spot, but it’s not the end of the story for this particular location.
Cultivating Your Fortune: Planting the Seeds of Wealth
After unearthing the initial 1,000 Bells, you’ll notice that the glowing spot transforms into a small hole. This hole is now ready to receive a special kind of seed – your Bell investment. This is where the magic of growing a money tree truly begins.
The Bell Investment
The hole left by the glowing spot is where you’ll plant your seeds. You have a choice of how many Bells you want to plant. The amount you choose to invest will directly influence the potential return you receive from your money tree.
Choosing Your Investment Amount
You can plant any amount of Bells you wish into the hole. However, there are some important considerations regarding the optimal amount to plant for the best return on investment. While you can plant as little as 100 Bells, this will only yield a small return. (See Also: How to Keep a Magnolia Tree Small: A Pruning Guide)
The 10,000 Bell Sweet Spot
For most players, planting 10,000 Bells is considered the sweet spot. When you plant 10,000 Bells, the money tree will reliably grow three bags of Bells, each containing 10,000 Bells. This means you’ll harvest a total of 30,000 Bells from your investment, resulting in a guaranteed profit of 20,000 Bells.
Higher Investments: The Gamble
You can choose to plant more than 10,000 Bells. If you plant 30,000 Bells, for example, the tree has a chance to grow three bags of 30,000 Bells each, for a total of 90,000 Bells. However, this is not guaranteed. The tree might still only produce three bags of 10,000 Bells, leaving you with a smaller profit margin or even a loss if you plant significantly more.
While planting larger sums can lead to massive profits, it also carries a higher risk. The game is designed to reward consistent, sensible investment. For a reliable and consistent profit, sticking to 10,000 Bells per planting is the most recommended strategy.
Planting the Bells
To plant the Bells, simply open your inventory, select the desired amount of Bells, and choose the ‘Plant’ option. The Bells will disappear into the hole, and a small sapling will appear. This sapling is the beginning of your money-making tree!
Nurturing Your Sapling: From Sprout to Treasure
Once you’ve planted your Bells, the real waiting game begins. Your money tree sapling needs time and care to mature into a fully fruiting Bell-bearing wonder. Just like any other tree in Animal Crossing, it requires a few days to grow.
The Growth Cycle
A money tree sapling will take approximately four days to fully mature. During this time, it will grow through several stages, starting as a tiny sprout and gradually increasing in size until it reaches its full, majestic form, adorned with shimmering Bell bags.
Watering Is Not Required
Unlike regular trees or flowers, money trees do not require watering to grow. Their growth is solely dependent on the passage of time. So, you don’t need to worry about your watering can; the Bells themselves are the sustenance they need.
The Appearance of Bell Bags
When the money tree is fully grown, you’ll notice three bags of Bells hanging from its branches. These bags are your harvest. They will shimmer with the same golden glow as the initial digging spot, a clear indication of their valuable contents.
Harvesting Your Earnings: Reaping the Bell Rewards
The moment of truth arrives when your money tree has fully matured. It’s time to shake those Bell bags loose and add to your island’s treasury! (See Also: How to Mix Iodine and Tea Tree Oil: A Comprehensive Guide)
Shaking the Tree
To harvest the Bells, simply stand next to the fully grown money tree and press the ‘A’ button to shake it. Each shake will dislodge one bag of Bells. You’ll need to shake the tree three times to collect all the available Bells.
Collecting Your Profit
Once all three bags have fallen, your money tree will revert to a regular hardwood tree. It can then be chopped down for wood or left as a decorative element on your island. The Bells you’ve collected are now yours to spend on anything your heart desires, from new furniture to expanding your home!
Maximizing Your Money Tree Yields: Advanced Strategies
While the basic method of finding a glowing spot, planting 10,000 Bells, and harvesting is straightforward, there are ways to optimize your Bell-generating efforts. These strategies involve a bit more planning and understanding of the game’s mechanics.
Dedicated Money Tree Farms
Many players choose to dedicate specific areas of their island to growing money trees. This involves clearing out a section of land and ensuring there’s enough space for multiple trees to grow without interfering with each other.
Layout and Spacing
When creating a money tree farm, it’s important to consider spacing. Each money tree sapling requires a 3×3 area to grow to its full potential without issues. This means leaving at least one empty space between each sapling you plant. A grid layout can be very effective for maximizing the number of trees you can cultivate in a given area.
Strategic Planting
With a dedicated farm, you can plant multiple money trees each day. If you have the Bells to spare, this can significantly increase your daily income. Remember the 10,000 Bell planting strategy for consistent returns. Even if you only plant 10,000 Bells each, having 5-10 money trees growing simultaneously can yield a substantial daily profit.
Utilizing Mystery Island Tours
Mystery Island Tours can sometimes offer additional opportunities to find glowing spots. While not guaranteed, some islands visited through Kapp’n’s boat tours or Nook Miles Tickets might spawn a glowing spot. It’s always worth a quick scan of the island before you leave, especially if you’re looking for that extra bit of Bell income.
The Role of Island Design
Consider where you place your money trees. While they can grow anywhere, strategically placing them can add to the aesthetic appeal of your island. Imagine a grove of shimmering money trees near your home or a path leading to a hidden Bell treasure!
Troubleshooting and Common Issues
Even with the best intentions, sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here are some common issues players encounter with money trees and how to resolve them. (See Also: How Does the Acacia Tree Survive in the Savanna?)
My Glowing Spot Disappeared!
Glowing spots are a daily occurrence. If you don’t find one on a particular day, it simply means the game didn’t spawn one for you. Keep checking each morning, as they are guaranteed to appear daily.
My Money Tree Didn’t Grow Three Bags of Bells!
As discussed earlier, the number of Bell bags you harvest depends on the amount you planted. If you planted 10,000 Bells, you should always get three bags of 10,000 Bells. If you planted more, the yield can vary. Be sure to plant 10,000 Bells for a guaranteed triple return.
My Money Tree Grew Into a Regular Tree!
This is the intended behavior after harvesting. Once you shake all the Bell bags from a mature money tree, it transforms into a standard hardwood tree. You can then choose to chop it down for wood or leave it as is.
I Planted Too Many Bells and Lost Money!
This is the risk associated with planting amounts higher than 10,000 Bells. The game doesn’t guarantee a return equal to your investment when you plant larger sums. If you’re new to money trees or prefer a safe bet, always stick to planting 10,000 Bells.
Can I Move My Money Tree?
Once planted, a money tree sapling cannot be moved. It’s best to decide on its final location before you plant your Bells. You can, however, dig up a sapling before it fully matures, but this will result in the loss of your planted Bells.
The Aesthetic Appeal of Money Trees
Beyond their Bell-generating capabilities, money trees also add a unique visual element to your island. Their shimmering Bell bags create a captivating and rewarding sight, especially when clustered together.
Decorative Potential
Consider incorporating money trees into your island’s design. A well-placed money tree can enhance the ambiance of various areas, from your personal garden to a dedicated Bell grove. Their golden glow can be particularly striking at night.
Symbolism and Fun
The concept of a money tree is a fun and whimsical addition to the Animal Crossing experience. It taps into the fantasy of instant wealth and provides a tangible reward for daily exploration and a bit of strategic planting. It’s a small but delightful part of what makes Animal Crossing: New Horizons so engaging.
Conclusion
Cultivating money trees in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a delightful and profitable pastime. By consistently seeking out those daily glowing spots, planting the recommended 10,000 Bells for a reliable triple return, and patiently waiting for your saplings to mature, you can significantly enhance your Bell reserves. Remember to space them appropriately if creating a farm and enjoy the shimmering sight of your hard-earned wealth growing right before your eyes. Happy Bell hunting!
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