Each player has 6 cards in hand, with cards depicting either a particular tree or two "forest dwellers", with these latter cards being divided in half, with one dweller in each card half.
On a turn, either draw 3 cards - whether face down from the deck or face up from the clearing - or play a card from your hand by paying the cost.
Each tree and dweller shows a cost, and to pay this cost, you must discard cards from your hand into the clearing. If you play a tree, flip the top card of the deck into the clearing, then place the tree in front of you. If you play a dweller, pay only the cost on the dweller you choose, then slide this card under a tree that has an empty side that matches the dweller you want to play. (top, bottom, left, and right)
After you play a card, you can use the effect on this card (drawing cards, placing cards, extra turn, ...) or gain the bonus you gained if you paid for this card with cards of the same color - or both, if applicable, with the effect taking place before the bonus.
If at the end of your turn the clearing contains more than nine cards, place all of these cards in the box out of play.
During set-up, 3 winter cards were placed into the bottom third of the deck. When the third winter card is drawn, the game ends immediately, then players tally their points based on the trees and dwellers in their forest. Whoever scores the most points wins.