How to Get Planks Without Punching Trees

Cut Wood With the Right Tool

You cannot obtain planks by punching a tree. You need a cutting tool. Craft a Flint Axe from Flint Shard and Plant Fiber, then chop logs. If you already have iron, an Iron Saw or Diamond Saw cuts wood faster and is the intended tool for turning logs into planks.

Knife and Saw Cutting

The Flint Knife, Iron Knife, Diamond Knife, Gold Knife, and Netherite Knife all cut soft materials. Use a knife to slice Plant Fiber into Plant String and to process items that need a blade. For planks specifically, use an axe or a saw on logs. The Saw family — Iron Saw, Gold Saw, Diamond Saw, Netherite Saw — is the dedicated wood-processing tool.

Build a Crafting Surface

Once you have planks, craft a crafting table and a wooden pickaxe equivalent. From there, mine stone to get Andesite Cobblestone, Diorite Cobblestone, and Granite Cobblestone, which unlock stone tools and the Mattock line.

Avoid the Punching Trap

Do not waste time hitting trees with your bare hands — nothing drops. Always carry a Flint Axe or a Saw before entering a forest. If your axe breaks, fall back to a Flint Knife for fiber and string while you gather more Flint Shard from gravel to rebuild. The Macuahuitl is an alternative melee tool you can craft later once you have the required materials.