The Animal Forest e+ exclusive coconut crab is only found inside coconut tree branches. In Animal Crossing, purple and birdwing butterflies will only appear at the canopy of a tree, but they are not restricted in this way in later games. Cicadas, beetles, and some other insects are only found hanging from the front of the trees.
Many bugs are only found on trees, or their stumps. During the fall, Acorns may be found beneath trees in the village ( WW and NH only). Bagworms and spiders may also appear when shaking trees, hanging from the branches when disturbed. Any Hardwood or Cedar tree may drop one 100 bell coin, a wasp nest with wasps (5 per day), or a piece furniture (2 per day). Fruit trees will drop fruit if the harvest is ready.
The tree can then be planted where the player wishes it to be located, within reason. After eating a piece of fruit the character will be able to dig up a whole tree, and place it into their inventory. In New Horizons, trees can now be relocated directly, instead of having to cut down and replant them, using stamina gained by consuming fruit. Beginning in New Leaf the player character and villagers can sit upon stumps. Despite having been present since Animal Forest, stumps served no practical use until City Folk wherein certain bugs can be found on a stump. The frequency of rare patterns is increased when a golden axe cuts down the tree, and even more so when a silver axe is used. In New Leaf, the stump will occasionally feature a unique pattern. When cut, a stump remains, which must be dug up with a shovel. Trees that have started or finished growing will not die naturally, and must be cut down with an axe if they need to be removed. Trees that are normal size will revert to this small size if a building appears next to them, such as when Nook's shop expands in size or if a villager sets up a house. These trees remain small and stunted until they are moved.
Occasionally, saplings will die even in open areas.Īn exception to this rule is in the GCN games, where saplings planted next to buildings will grow, but only for one day. If planted in these areas, tree saplings will die the day after, and disappear. Trees cannot be planted close to buildings, walls, water, or other "hard" obstacles including other trees (they can be planted next to bushes). If the tree can bear fruit, it will then produce fruit the day after the tree is fully grown.