Leaves

Leaves are a type of block. They are abundant in normally generated maps, appearing on every tree. Leaves have multiple textures, each varying slightly in color, however only one texture is on all six sides of the leaf at one time.

Leaves are available for use in Creative mode. They are often used in making plants, foliage, and tree houses. Leaf blocks are very weak, are readily destroyed by hitting them with any tool, are extremely vulnerable to explosions and are highly flammable. As of Beta 1.2, leaves in snowy areas have a different texture. It is possible, but extremely unlikely for a leaf block to stay on fire after catching on fire.

In Survival mode, Indev, Infdev, Alpha, and Beta, leaves cannot be obtained. Destroying leaves occasionally yields saplings which can be planted by the player in order to grow new trees.

Leaves can be destroyed faster by using a sword, though swords lose double normal durability when used on leaves. As no other tool yields any increase in removal speed, leaves are best removed with bare hands, or a block or object unaffected by durability, so as not to damage your tools unnecessarily.

Alpha
In Alpha, leaves would decay using an algorithm that checks whether it has a solid or leaf block underneath it or is adjacent to a solid block. If it doesn't, it must be connected to a leaf block that is also supported as long as it is no further than five blocks away from said support.

Beta
In Beta, leaves decay according to a simple formula: leaf blocks decay unless they are within 4 blocks of a log, and connected to the log by other leaf blocks.

Trivia

 * In "Fancy" graphics mode, leaves are marked as transparent, but in "Fast" graphics they are opaque. You can see the effect by trying to look through a tree while toggling the graphics mode.
 * Because of the above, in "Fast" graphics, you can place torches on leaves and switching back to "Fancy" graphics will not make them come off.
 * Similarly, in "Fast" graphics, getting stuck inside leaves (usually by using bonemeal) will suffocate you, while on "Fancy" graphics leaves will not suffocate you. For the full list of things leaves do differently depending on graphics mode, see Transparency.
 * Leaves were used as windows before Glass was implemented.
 * In Beta, while hitting leaves, clouds and Snow cannot be seen behind the block you are hitting.
 * Allowing leaves to decay off trees instead of destroying them yourself yields more chance of Saplings coming off the leaves.
 * Occasionally, leaves will grow through other blocks, acting as though they are still connected to the tree. They may also completely replace blocks they try to grow into.
 * Leaves do not prevent a sapling from growing. As long as the five blocks above a sapling are either leaves or air, it will grow provided it has enough light.
 * Leaves do not prevent chests from opening.

Leaves
Blätter