How to Make a Money Tree in Animal Crossing

How to Make a Money Tree in Animal Crossing – If you’re an avid Animal Crossing player, you’ve likely heard of the elusive money tree, a fun and profitable way to grow bells in your village. Money trees are a great addition to any player’s routine as they provide both aesthetic charm and financial benefits. This guide will explain, step-by-step, how to plant, grow, and maximize the rewards of a money tree in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, ensuring your island thrives with prosperity.

What is a Money Tree?

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a money tree is a unique type of tree that produces bags of bells instead of fruit. These trees can be planted anywhere on your island, and they provide a one-time harvest of three money bags. Each bag contains an amount of bells based on how much you initially buried when planting the tree.

How to Plant a Money Tree

Creating a money tree involves a few simple steps, but timing and location are key. Follow these instructions carefully to ensure success:

1. Find a Glowing Spot

Every day, a glowing gold spot appears somewhere on your island.
This spot can usually be found on the ground as a small patch of light.
Use a shovel to dig up the glowing spot, and you’ll unearth a bag of 1,000 bells.

2. Rebury Bells in the Glowing Spot

After collecting the initial 1,000 bells, you’ll see a small hole where the light was glowing.
You now have the option to bury more bells in this spot.
To maximize your money tree’s yield, bury a larger amount of bells (up to 10,000 bells).

3. Wait for the Tree to Grow

Once you’ve buried the bells, a small sapling will appear.
The tree takes three real-world days to grow fully and produce its bell bags.
Maximizing Your Money Tree Profits

Understanding the Bell Yield

Each money tree will produce three bell bags.
The amount of bells in each bag depends on how much you buried when planting:
If you buried 1,000 bells, you’ll get three bags of 1,000 bells (3,000 bells total).
If you buried 10,000 bells, you’ll get three bags of 10,000 bells (30,000 bells total).

Best Practices for Maximum Profit

Burying more than 10,000 bells doesn’t always guarantee triple the return. While you can bury up to 99,000 bells, the game often caps the yield at 30,000 bells (10,000 per bag), making 10,000 bells the safest and most reliable investment.
Planting 10,000 bells every day ensures a steady flow of income and minimizes risk.

Tips for Successful Money Tree Planting

1. Choose the Right Location

Avoid planting money trees near cliffs, rivers, or buildings as these areas might interfere with the tree’s growth.
Ensure the tree has enough open space around it to grow.

2. Keep Your Island Clean

Remove weeds, rocks, and other obstacles near the glowing spot to ensure the sapling has room to thrive.

3. Manage Your Time

Use the real-time gameplay mechanic wisely. Plant your tree early in the day to keep track of its growth cycle.

4. Create a Money Tree Orchard

If you want multiple money trees, dig up the sapling after planting and relocate it to a designated area for a neat, organized orchard.

What Happens After Harvest?

Once you’ve harvested the bell bags, the money tree will revert to a regular tree. It will no longer produce bells, so you’ll need to find a new glowing spot to plant another money tree. This ensures that money trees remain a fun, interactive way to earn bells without breaking the game’s balance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Money Trees

Q: Can I plant multiple money trees at the same time?
Yes! If you spot multiple glowing spots over several days, you can plant money trees in each of them. However, only one glowing spot appears per day, so you’ll need to play daily to plant more trees.

Q: Can I time travel to grow money trees faster?
Time traveling (adjusting your Nintendo Switch’s clock) can speed up the growth process. However, this method is not recommended as it may disrupt other aspects of your game, such as villager interactions or turnip prices.

Q: Do money trees require watering?
No, money trees do not need watering to grow. They will mature on their own after three days.

Q: Can I bury less than 1,000 bells?
No, the minimum amount you can bury is 1,000 bells, as that is the amount found in the glowing spot.

Alternative Ways to Earn Bells in Animal Crossing

While money trees are a fantastic way to earn bells, they are not the only method. Here are some additional strategies to boost your income:

1. Sell High-Value Items

Fishing: Rare fish like the Coelacanth and Blue Marlin sell for a high price.
Bug Catching: Look for valuable bugs such as tarantulas or scorpions.
Fruit: Sell non-native fruits for a premium price.

2. Turnip Trading

Purchase turnips from Daisy Mae every Sunday and sell them at a profit during the week by monitoring fluctuating prices.

3. Complete Nook Miles+ Tasks

These daily tasks reward you with Nook Miles, which can be redeemed for bells or valuable items.

4. Participate in Events

Seasonal events often provide opportunities to earn exclusive items or bells.

Creative Uses for Money Trees

Money trees are not just about earning bells—they can also be a fun way to decorate your island. Here are some ideas:

Create a Treasure Garden: Plant multiple money trees in one area to create a “golden” forest.
Pathway Borders: Use money trees to line pathways for a luxurious touch.
Island Showcase: Place money trees near your home or main plaza to impress visitors.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Planting too close to uther objects: Ensure your tree has enough space to grow, or it may remain a sapling indefinitely.
Over-Investing: While it’s tempting to bury the maximum amount of bells, remember that returns are not always guaranteed. Stick to the safe bet of 10,000 bells.
Neglecting Daily Glowing Spots: If you skip a day, you might miss your chance to plant a new money tree.

Conclusion

Growing a money tree in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a fun and rewarding way to earn bells while adding a unique aesthetic to your island. By following the steps and tips in this guide, you’ll ensure consistent success with your money trees and maximize your island’s financial growth.

Remember, the key to a thriving island is balancing your resources, staying consistent with daily activities, and having fun experimenting with new ideas. So grab your shovel, find that glowing spot, and start planting your way to prosperity!