Animal Crossing New Horizons: How to Grow A Tree Orchard

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a welcome return to the world of productivity we all enjoy. With that return comes a few new mechanics which can be surprising for seasoned players. One thing that has changed, in this new entry, is the method in which tree orchards can be properly cultivated. Creating a lush forest can make one’s island look spectacular.

In previous Animal Crossing games, the player could simply dig a series of holes and plant fruit into them. Watering the hole and leaving for a few days would produce luscious fruit trees without much of a problem. This has been attempted in New Horizons, and unfortunately, some of the trees don’t grow properly anymore. This guide will teach you how to properly get your trees looking and growing the way you want them to.

Planting Trees in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Past methods of planting trees remain the same in New Horizons. Players have the option of digging a hole and planting a single piece of fruit in the hole or purchasing a sapling from the Nook Cranny and planting it in a hole. Both methods still stand in regard to planting a few trees here and there. The difference comes from attempting to produce large amounts of trees at once.

Cultivating a Reliable Orchard in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

In New Horizons, there is often an issue with planting multiple trees in one place. Some of the trees will grow like normal, and some of them will not grow at all. The proven workaround for this occurrence is the Transplant Method. Whole trees can now be placed into inventory and moved to a new location. This requires a lot of energy, so eat at least one piece of fruit before attempting this. Up to ten pieces of fruit can be eaten at once, which means that ten trees can be held at one time.

Plant trees as normal anywhere on the island. Next, decide where you want your orchard. Dig a series of holes, one space apart. When ready, dig up the original trees, move them to where you placed your holes, and plant them. This will allow you to quickly cultivate a large fully grown orchard that looks exactly the way you want it to.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available on Nintendo Switch.