Sapling



Saplings are an important resource obtained from leaves that allows trees to be grown. There are 4 types of saplings, oak, birch, spruce, and jungle, for each type of tree.

In Survival mode, all types of saplings have a 1/20 chance of dropping when leaves are broken or decay except jungle saplings which have a 1/40 chance of dropping. The withering behavior of leaves is explained in detail in the leaves article. Each type of tree has its own type of sapling. Most tree canopies will drop at least one sapling block, though they may drop more, and large tree canopies should drop several if completely deleaved. When trees grow, it is possible for some leaves to be generated in an unsupported position, and as they wither they may drop saplings, allowing saplings to be found rarely below newly grown trees. It should be noted that saplings will generally not drop from a tree canopy that is consumed by fire, as the saplings are prone to landing on flaming blocks unless the canopy is lit from above.

Growth
Saplings can grow on any dirt or grass block, and grow into a tree, permitted they are exposed to a light level of at least 9, and have a certain number of air blocks above them, depending on the sapling type (Oak and Birch saplings need 6, while Spruce saplings need 7). However, they will grow slower if they have fewer than 10 blocks above the dirt. To instantly "create" a tree, use Bone Meal on the planted sapling.

They will pop out of the ground if they are not exposed to a light level of at least 8, but will not pop out of the ground if they do not have enough headroom, provided they still have sufficient light. In this way they can be used as decoration in structures provided they don't have room to grow into full trees, or the block above is never exposed to a light level of 9 or more. This also applies to saplings in the Nether.

A light level of 9 (above sapling) may be provided by a nearby torch, so saplings can grow into trees underground with just one nearby torch. It should be noted that while moonlight has a brightness of 4, saplings will not pop out of the ground when exposed to moonlight - they will survive low light provided there are no blocks directly above them.

If they are right clicked on with Bone Meal, they will grow into a full tree instantly, allowing rapid collection of wood. This instant growth may fail, especially when space is restricted. The sapling attempts a random tree form (big and branching, for example), but if it does not work due to lack of space, the growth aborts. Repeated application of Bone Meal may result in a successful tree except in extreme lack of space.

Jungle tree saplings, if placed in a 2x2 square, will grow into a full size Jungle tree. They will grow around 31 blocks tall if they have enough room.

Trivia

 * If the player stands on the same block as a placed Sapling as it grows into a tree, wood blocks will grow on top of them, causing suffocation.
 * It is possible to plant a sapling on any patch of dirt or grass. Whether or not it will grow into a tree depends on if it has enough space and light.
 * Saplings can also be placed on Farmland but will not grow.
 * The sapling requires 6 blocks above it in order to grow, either from bone meal or after some time.
 * Saplings can grow without the required amount of light if bone meal is used, provided that there is enough space above the sapling.
 * When a sapling is placed near the sky void, it will grow, but it'll be cut off at whatever level the sky void is at, sometimes resulting in only a trunk, or a flat layer of branches.
 * Dead Bushes, which look like dead saplings, are generated in desert biomes.
 * In 1.1 and above, it`s possible to plant many oak saplings with no space between them, provided the player has some bone meal and removes the wood blocks above the saplings (leaves will be destroyed).
 * In 1.2.5, looking at leaves in creative mode and pressing the "Pick Block" button will give you/select a sapling of the respective leaf type.
 * Farming small Jungle Trees from saplings is unsustainable, because most trees have less than forty leaves on them. Jungle giants are another story, as they can easily produce 8 or more saplings.
 * Saplings can be used as a fuel source, although not an efficient one since it takes two saplings to smelt/cook one item.