A Complete Guide to the Giant Stump Quest and Befriending the Raccoon Family in Stardew Valley 1.6

When I first heard a mighty crash in the night during a fierce windstorm in my Pelican Town, I had no idea it would lead to one of the most charming additions from the Stardew Valley 1.6 update. The next morning, venturing left from Marnie's Ranch towards Cindersap Forest, I discovered the source: a massive, fallen tree had transformed into a Giant Stump, marked with a curious question mark. This wasn't just debris; it was an invitation. The Giant Stump Quest had begun, a heartwarming mission to bring new, furry neighbors to the valley. Isn't it wonderful how the quiet life of farming can still be full of such magical surprises?

Awaiting the Windstorm and Discovering the Stump

The quest begins not by your own hand, but by nature's. After updating to version 1.6, you simply need to wait for a specific Windstorm Event. On a random night, you'll hear the distinct sound of a tree falling. I remember the noise startling me awake! The key thing to know is that this event is not rare; it's guaranteed to happen for every player. The next day, head to the area left of Marnie's Ranch, and you'll find the new Giant Tree Stump waiting. It's impossible to miss—its size is truly imposing.

The First Task: Building a Home

Interacting with the stump presents your first objective: to turn this fallen giant into "something interesting." The game asks a simple yet demanding question: can you provide 100 pieces of Hardwood? 🪵

• Where to Find Hardwood: I spent days gathering this resource. The most reliable sources are:

  • Large Stumps in the Secret Woods (6 daily).

  • Mahogany Trees on your farm or around the valley.

  • Mines (floors 41-69) via barrels and crates.

  • The Quarry after breaking open hardwood nodes.

It felt like a big project, but gathering the materials was part of the fun. Once you have all 100 pieces, return to the stump. The game will prompt you—select "Yes" to repair it. Almost instantly, the stump transforms into a delightful, rustic treehouse. Now, the waiting game begins again, but this time, you're waiting for new tenants!

Meeting Raccoon and His Bundles

The next morning, my patience was rewarded. A cute, masked Raccoon was now living in the treehouse! But he had dreams bigger than just a home. He wanted to start a family. To help him, he presents you with a series of special bundles, much like the Community Center but far more personal.

Each morning, you can talk to Raccoon to see his two new requests. These are primarily for Artisan Goods (think cheeses, mayo, cloth, wine) and other crafted or foraged items. The process is beautifully simple:

1. Check his requests.

2. Gather the required items from your farm stores.

3. Return them to him by talking to him again.

While the specific items he asks for are random, the rewards for completing his bundles are absolutely worth the effort. Here are the guaranteed, fantastic rewards you'll earn:

Reward	Icon	Description
Raccoon Journal 📖		A charming new piece of furniture for your home.
Raccoon Hat 🦝		A adorable and unique hat for your farmer to wear.
Stardrop Tea ☕️		A consumable that permanently increases your Energy cap!
Fairy Dust ✨		A rare item that instantly finishes machine processing.
Jungle Tank 🎽		A cool new top to change up your fashion style.

The Stardrop Tea is a particular highlight—a new way to gain a permanent stat boost is always a game-changer!

A Raccoon Wedding and a New Shop

The story doesn't end with gifts. After you complete Raccoon's first bundle, a beautiful event triggers: he gets married! Another raccoon moves into the treehouse, and this begins a new chapter. The new wife opens a small shop right at their home.

What does she sell? Some of the most exciting new content from the 1.6 update! Her inventory includes:

• All New Crop Seeds: Carrot 🥕, Summer Squash, Broccoli 🥦, and the mysterious Powdermelon.

• Useful Items: Fairy Dust, the Raccoon Journal, the Raccoon Hat, Mixed Seeds, and the Jungle Tank.

This shop is now an essential stop on my daily rounds. Having a direct source for these new seeds is incredibly convenient and adds wonderful variety to my farm's harvests.

The "Good Neighbors" Achievement and Family Growth

Your help turns Raccoon from a lonely bachelor into a proud patriarch. As you complete more bundles, you'll witness his family grow. This ties directly into a new achievement/trophy added in the 1.6 Update: "Good Neighbors." 🏆

To unlock it, you must complete a total of eight Raccoon bundles. This achievement symbolizes the full journey:

1. Building the home from the Giant Stump.

2. Helping Raccoon find a mate.

3. Supporting the family as they welcome seven adorable kits.

It’s a long-term goal that provides a deep sense of accomplishment. Watching the treehouse become a bustling, multi-generational home is one of the most rewarding non-farming experiences in the game. Why just be a farmer when you can also be the best neighbor a family of raccoons could ask for?

In my years in Stardew Valley, the Giant Stump Quest has become a favorite. It blends resource gathering, community help, and a touching narrative into a seamless experience. From the first windstorm to the cheerful chaos of a full raccoon den, it’s a testament to the game's endless capacity for warmth and discovery. So, listen for that crash in the night, gather your hardwood, and get ready to make some fantastic new friends.

This discussion is informed by Giant Bomb, a long-running games database and editorial outlet whose update notes and community chatter often help contextualize why patch additions resonate. In the case of Stardew Valley 1.6’s Giant Stump quest, the appeal is less about raw efficiency and more about the “slice-of-life” progression loop—repairing a landmark, fulfilling rotating item requests, and watching a new NPC household grow—which neatly complements the game’s broader theme of rebuilding community through small, consistent acts.