In October 2015, Spook and Sinister trees were introduced to Lumber Tycoon 2. Since then, these elusive trees have become a staple of the game, attracting both new and veteran players alike. In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about Spook wood, including changes from last year. So, whether you’re a beginner or an avid hunter for lumber, let’s go straight into it and start chopping!
Complete Spook Hunting Guide (2024)
To explain how Spook spawning works, let’s imagine it from the perspective of a private server. Every private server has an internal clock that keeps track of the real-world date and time. Once the server’s clock strikes 6:00 a.m. EST on October 1st, the process of Spook spawning begins.
Spook Spawning Mechanics
The spawning process starts by initiating a timer, known as the Stagger, which lasts for a random duration between 0 and 3 hours. Once the Stagger runs out, a Spook tree will spawn, with a 1% chance of being replaced by a Sinister tree (distinguished by its granite bark).
For the server to spawn a tree, certain criteria must be met:
- The server will select a random location on the map. The location must be named Slate, Sand, Road, or Ground. If not, the server will choose another spot.
- The server checks if the selected location has access to the sky by casting a ray from 100 studs above the volcano. If the ray passes through uninterrupted, the tree is planted; otherwise, a new location is chosen.
Once planted, the tree will grow every 150 to 200 seconds, with 60 to 75 growth stages in total. This means it takes roughly 3 hours for a Spook tree to fully mature, and the tree can survive for up to 9 hours.
After the first tree is growing, the server starts a second timer called the Interval. Once the Interval ends (usually around 6 hours), the server spawns another Spook tree and resets the timer.
During the End Times Event on October 31st at 6:00 a.m. EST, the map becomes desaturated, and the Interval shortens significantly, allowing up to three Spook trees to grow simultaneously. This event ends at 6:00 a.m. EST on November 1st, halting any new Spook trees from spawning. However, trees planted just before the event ends can remain alive for several hours.
How To Classify Your Spook Tree
When hunting, you’ll notice that Spook trees vary in size and shape. They can have between one and five segments, with five-segment trees being the rarest, appearing in only 1.2% of cases. Trees may have two or three branches, with both outcomes being common.
The community has its own terms for specific tree characteristics:
- Monsters: Massive trees with thick bases and sprawling branches.
- Stumps: Trees that fail to fully branch out due to nearby objects stunting their growth.
- Super Stumps: Trees with only two segments that are stunted.
- Obstructions: Trees that grow through solid objects, like rocks or buildings.
Some locations are considered rare for tree spawning, like Volcano Tropics, Sand Island, and Take-a-Peak. Other ultra-rare locations include River Tunnel, Sandbar Maze, and TGA Foot Bridge.
Best Strategy to Hunt Spook Trees
Hunting for Spook trees is simpler than it sounds. All you need is a tall ladder, but for maximum efficiency, I recommend building a Spook Hunting Base. To create one, purchase a plot of land and 80 to 100 smooth walls. Stack the walls in the center of your plot, and reset your character to ensure you’re spawning at the top. If you don’t have a free slot, use your smallest data slot to build this setup.
Once your base is set up, you can start hunting. Join a server, load up your base, and position it for the best view of the landscape. From the top of your smooth wall tower, slowly pan your camera across the map, focusing on the corners of your screen to spot new Spook trees. Once you’ve scanned the entire server, leave, rejoin, and repeat the process.
During the End Times event, it’s best to abandon the tower and drive around the map to spot trees, as trees spawn more frequently.
How To Reach & Claim Your Spook Tree
If you find a Spook tree, reaching it can be straightforward or tricky. For easy-to-reach trees, simply drive up to them. However, for harder-to-reach spots, you may need to use long planking or glitches like axe climbing or the toboggan fly glitch.
For long planking, sawmill a tree at the thinnest setting and place the plank against the rock or obstacle you need to scale. For axe climbing, use the shift lock to grab onto your axe while climbing a wall.
Once you reach the tree, cut it down with your axe to claim it as yours. Take a screenshot to commemorate your find, and if you wish to mill the tree, transport it back to the mainland for processing.
Now, You’re Ready for Spooky Season!
And that wraps up my Complete Spook Hunting Guide for 2024 in Lumber Tycoon 2! Now you know how to spawn, classify, and hunt for Spook and Sinister trees, as well as how to navigate tricky locations and claim your prize. Whether you’re using a hunting tower or just driving around during the End Times event, you’re ready to dive into this year’s Spook season.
In case you have questions or concerns, also feel free to leave them in the comments section below. I’ll try to get back to you as soon as I get the time (I get busy too sometimes, you know?). If you’re interested, also consider checking out my detailed guide on how to get the End Times Axe in the game!
