diff --git a/index.html b/index.html
index 851ba57..1de4f62 100644
--- a/index.html
+++ b/index.html
@@ -243,16 +243,12 @@ basketShadow.position.set(BASKET_POS.x, 0.005, BASKET_POS.z);
 scene.add(basketShadow);
 
 // ---------- apples ----------
-const appleHomes = [
-  new THREE.Vector3(1.55, 2.75, 0.65),
-  new THREE.Vector3(-1.5, 2.65, -0.55),
-  new THREE.Vector3(0.25, 3.75, 0.85),
-  new THREE.Vector3(0.95, 1.95, -1.25),
-  new THREE.Vector3(-0.85, 1.9, 1.15),
-  new THREE.Vector3(1.1, 3.15, -0.55),
-  new THREE.Vector3(-1.05, 3.05, 0.3),
-  new THREE.Vector3(0.15, 2.4, 1.35),
-];
+const APPLE_COUNT = 8;
+function randomAppleHome(){
+  const spec = foliageSpecs[Math.floor(Math.random() * foliageSpecs.length)];
+  const dir = new THREE.Vector3(Math.random() - 0.5, Math.random() - 0.2, Math.random() - 0.5).normalize();
+  return new THREE.Vector3(spec.pos[0], spec.pos[1], spec.pos[2]).addScaledVector(dir, spec.r * 0.92);
+}
 const appleGeo = new THREE.SphereGeometry(0.16, 10, 8);
 const appleMat = new THREE.MeshStandardMaterial({ color: 0xd1453b, roughness: 0.5, flatShading:true });
 const stemGeo = new THREE.CylinderGeometry(0.015, 0.02, 0.14, 5);
@@ -274,8 +270,10 @@ const LEAF_LINGER = 1.8;   // how long a fallen leaf rests before fading away
 const SQUIRREL_COOLDOWN = 6; // min seconds between squirrel appearances
 
 // a tree "slot" holds at most one apple at a time and regrows independently of
-// whatever happens to the apple once it falls (caught in the basket or not)
-const treeSlots = appleHomes.map((home) => {
+// whatever happens to the apple once it falls (caught in the basket or not);
+// each grow picks a fresh random spot on the foliage rather than a fixed home
+const treeSlots = Array.from({ length: APPLE_COUNT }, () => {
+  const home = randomAppleHome();
   const mesh = createAppleMesh();
   mesh.position.copy(home);
   treeGroup.add(mesh);
@@ -287,12 +285,21 @@ const basketApples = [];  // apples caught and resting in the basket
 let basketCount = 0;
 
 // ---------- leaves ----------
-const leafGeo = new THREE.PlaneGeometry(0.14, 0.18);
+const leafShape = new THREE.Shape();
+leafShape.moveTo(0, -0.09);
+leafShape.quadraticCurveTo(0.07, -0.04, 0.065, 0.03);
+leafShape.quadraticCurveTo(0.05, 0.08, 0, 0.11);
+leafShape.quadraticCurveTo(-0.05, 0.08, -0.065, 0.03);
+leafShape.quadraticCurveTo(-0.07, -0.04, 0, -0.09);
+const leafGeo = new THREE.ShapeGeometry(leafShape);
 const leafMats = [0x4f9d6e, 0x3f8a5d, 0x5aab77].map(
   (c) => new THREE.MeshStandardMaterial({ color: c, roughness: 0.85, side: THREE.DoubleSide })
 );
 function createLeafMesh(){
-  return new THREE.Mesh(leafGeo, leafMats[Math.floor(Math.random() * leafMats.length)]);
+  const mesh = new THREE.Mesh(leafGeo, leafMats[Math.floor(Math.random() * leafMats.length)]);
+  const s = 0.8 + Math.random() * 0.35;
+  mesh.scale.set(s, s, s);
+  return mesh;
 }
 const fallingLeaves = []; // falling | resting | vanishing
 
@@ -379,7 +386,9 @@ function knockOffSquirrel(){
   const shadow = makeShadowBlob(0.55);
   scene.add(shadow);
 
-  const fleeAngle = Math.random() * Math.PI * 2;
+  // camera looks down roughly -Z, so world X is screen left/right — flee sideways
+  const fleeSign = Math.random() < 0.5 ? -1 : 1;
+  const fleeDir = new THREE.Vector3(fleeSign, 0, (Math.random() - 0.5) * 0.35).normalize();
   fallingSquirrels.push({
     mesh,
     shadow,
@@ -388,7 +397,7 @@ function knockOffSquirrel(){
       0.6 + Math.random() * 0.4,
       (Math.random() - 0.5) * 1.2
     ),
-    fleeDir: new THREE.Vector3(Math.sin(fleeAngle), 0, Math.cos(fleeAngle)),
+    fleeDir,
     state: 'falling',
     timer: 0,
   });
@@ -485,6 +494,7 @@ function knockOffRandomApple(){
 }
 
 function growSlotApple(slot){
+  slot.home = randomAppleHome();
   const mesh = createAppleMesh();
   mesh.position.copy(slot.home);
   mesh.scale.setScalar(0.001);