Money tree

The money tree is an aspiration reward in The Sims 2, and a plant in The Sims 3.

The Sims 2
Money trees are cheap in aspiration points, so Sims who have plenty of aspiration points can afford plenty of money trees. A money tree can be used indefinitely as long as it is kept watered. If it is not watered periodically it will wither away.

When a Sim's aspiration level is gold or higher, that Sim will be able to harvest forty Simoleons from the money tree. However, if the Sim's aspiration level is green, there is a 50% chance they will only receive one simoleon during harvest. If it is red, there is an 80% chance of only harvesting one simoleon. When it fails, it doesn't penalize or harm the user, it just yields §1 instead of §40. Whether the Sim receives §40 or §1, harvesting money from the money tree fulfills the want to earn some money.

Children can harvest from the money tree, and it is a fine source of income for child Sims.

Tips & Tricks

 * Although at first glance it may seem like a money tree isn't worth forking over 3000 Aspiration points for a mere §40, the money tree can actually be a key component for keeping Fortune Sims happy on a consistent basis. Spend a while saving up on Aspiration points, and then have your Fortune Sim use their hard earned points on as many money trees as possible. Once your Sim has a small farm of at least 10 of these trees, the profit jumps to a potential §400 every 8 hours, or §1200 per day. For Sims that Want to earn a lot of money, money trees can certainly give a lot of extra cash to pad their wallets with.
 * When the Money Tree is ready for harvest, neighbors can and will take the money from a money tree. To avoid this, keep the money tree locked away from other Sims.

The Sims 3
The money tree is growable with the Gardening skill in The Sims 3. There is a one in four chance of a special plant seed growing into a money tree. While fishing there is a small chance that the Sim will catch a box containing a money tree seed.

The harvest can be up to 5 money bags, and yields anywhere from several hundred Simoleons to several thousand Simoleons for a perfect Money Tree. Unlike other plants, the Money Tree's harvest cannot be planted. However, Money Trees will yield a Money Tree seed when it reaches Perfect quality, which will appear on the ground near them, allowing one Money Tree to turn into many. Money Trees last indefinitely and their quality will improve to Perfect, if they are cared for well. The Money Tree will explode if neglected, making 3 large bills.