diff --git a/ferns/gianttreefern.lua b/ferns/gianttreefern.lua
index 5b6feee..27c9552 100644
--- a/ferns/gianttreefern.lua
+++ b/ferns/gianttreefern.lua
@@ -110,11 +110,17 @@ minetest.register_node("ferns:tree_fern_leaves_giant", {
 		not_in_creative_inventory=1
 	},
 	drop = {
-		max_items = 1,
+		max_items = 2,
 		items = {
+			{
+				-- occasionally, drop a second sapling instead of leaves
+				-- (extra saplings can also be obtained by replanting and
+				--  reharvesting leaves)
+				items = {"ferns:sapling_giant_tree_fern"},
+				rarity = 10,
+			},
 			{
 				items = {"ferns:sapling_giant_tree_fern"},
-				rarity = 40,
 			},
 			{
 				items = {"ferns:tree_fern_leaves_giant"},
diff --git a/ferns/treefern.lua b/ferns/treefern.lua
index 2878f57..18cb8c1 100644
--- a/ferns/treefern.lua
+++ b/ferns/treefern.lua
@@ -51,11 +51,17 @@ minetest.register_node("ferns:tree_fern_leaves", {
 	walkable = false,
 	groups = {snappy=3,flammable=2,attached_node=1},
 	drop = {
-		max_items = 1,
+		max_items = 2,
 		items = {
+			{
+				-- occasionally, drop a second sapling instead of leaves
+				-- (extra saplings can also be obtained by replanting and
+				--  reharvesting leaves)
+				items = {"ferns:sapling_tree_fern"},
+				rarity = 10,
+			},
 			{
 				items = {"ferns:sapling_tree_fern"},
-				rarity = 20,
 			},
 			{
 				items = {"ferns:tree_fern_leaves"},
@@ -76,11 +82,17 @@ minetest.register_node("ferns:tree_fern_leaves_02", {
 	walkable = false,
 	groups = {snappy=3,flammable=2,attached_node=1,not_in_creative_inventory=1},
 	drop = {
-		max_items = 1,
+		max_items = 2,
 		items = {
+			{
+				-- occasionally, drop a second sapling instead of leaves
+				-- (extra saplings can also be obtained by replanting and
+				--  reharvesting leaves)
+				items = {"ferns:sapling_tree_fern"},
+				rarity = 10,
+			},
 			{
 				items = {"ferns:sapling_tree_fern"},
-				rarity = 20,
 			},
 			{
 				items = {"ferns:tree_fern_leaves"},