As you begin to settle into island life, one of the earliest and most fundamental resources you'll need to manage is wood. While hardwood and softwood are plentiful, understanding how to cultivate a sustainable supply of softwood is key for crafting and future island development. This section will guide you through the process of establishing your own softwood growing system, ensuring you always have the materials you need.
Softwood is a common crafting material, essential for many early DIY recipes, from tools to furniture. Unlike fruit trees, which produce fruit, softwood trees (and hardwood trees) are primarily harvested for their wood. Learning to plant and manage these trees efficiently will save you countless trips to other parts of your island and streamline your crafting process.
Gathering Saplings
To begin growing your own softwood, you'll first need saplings. There are a few ways to acquire these:
- Nook's Cranny: Once Nook's Cranny is open, Timmy and Tommy will regularly stock saplings for sale. They typically cost 60 Bells each. This is the most reliable long-term source.
- Mystery Islands: When visiting Mystery Islands using Nook Miles Tickets, you can dig up fully grown cedar trees (which yield softwood) and replant them on your island. You'll need to eat a fruit to gain the strength to dig up an entire tree.
- Your Island: You can also dig up existing cedar trees on your own island and relocate them if you wish to consolidate your tree farm. Again, a fruit is required for this.
Planting Your Softwood Trees
Once you have your saplings or dug-up trees, it's time to plant them. Follow these steps for optimal growth:
- Choose a Location: Select an open area on your island. Consider dedicating a specific section for your tree farm to keep things organized.
- Dig Holes: Use your shovel to dig holes where you want to plant your trees.
- Plant Saplings/Trees: Stand next to a hole, open your inventory, select the sapling or tree, and choose "Plant."
- Spacing: For trees to grow to full maturity, they need adequate space. Plant saplings with at least one empty space on all sides (including diagonals). If trees are planted too close, they will not grow past the sapling stage.
Tip: While saplings need space to grow, once they are fully mature, you can dig them up (after eating a fruit) and replant them closer together to maximize space, as mature trees do not require the same growth-spacing. However, this is more for aesthetic or late-game optimization. For initial growth, ensure proper spacing.