Tired of his unpopularity with other students, Jules invents a tree capable of actually growing money. While at first he enjoys the financial freedom and acceptance the tree brings, the invention winds up causing more harm than good.
This episode includes examples of the following tropes:
- Acquired Situational Narcissism: The newly wealthy Jules becomes more smug and demanding.
- False Friend: Jules becomes extremely popular with the other children after showing off his new money. Naturally, however, they're only interested in what they can get out of the relationship and dump him quickly once the Tannens steal the money tree and he becomes just a normal nerd again.
- A Fool and His New Money Are Soon Parted: Even if nobody stole the tree, the money that came from it wouldn't last since the bills wither after being picked.
- Formula-Breaking Episode: Unlike most of the show's episodes, the plot doesn't involve time travel.
- Grows on Trees: Jules invents a money tree which grows actual money, but the bills wither after being picked.
- I Just Want to Have Friends: Early on, Jules grows tired of being an outcast due to his high IQ and invents the tree of the title to get attention.
- Intelligence Equals Isolation: Jules invents the money tree to gain acceptance after being scorned as a brainiac. He even underlines it while venting to Marty, saying that smart kids are always rejected by their peers.
- Nice Job Fixing It, Villain: The FBI gets suspicious about Jules' activities, thinking he's counterfeiting moneynote . When the Tannens steal the tree, they bring the law down on themselves instead.
- Not What It Looks Like: When Jules realizes the three was stolen, he accuses Verne, whose shovel makes him understand why Jules would accuse him.
- Shout-Out:
- One of the workers Jules hires asks if he thinks he's Richie Rich.
- Jules references the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when talking about his new popularity.
- Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: Nobody in Hill Valley has any problem with Jules' money coming from a tree, making it a surprise when the FBI gets involved.
- Throw the Dog a Bone: While most of Jules' peers reject him again once he's no longer rich, his classmate Franny Phillips (on whom he has a crush) still reciprocates his affections.
