diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_core/functions.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_core/functions.lua
index 931951c4f7..831168cb67 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_core/functions.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_core/functions.lua
@@ -434,6 +434,33 @@ local sapling_grow_action = function(trunknode, leafnode, tree_id, soil_needed)
 	end
 end
 
+-- Attempts to grow the sapling at the specified position
+-- pos: Position
+-- node: Node table of the node at this position, from minetest.get_node
+-- Returns true on success and false on failure
+mcl_core.grow_sapling = function(pos, node)
+	local grow
+	if node.name == "mcl_core:sapling" then
+		grow = sapling_grow_action("mcl_core:tree", "mcl_core:leaves", 1, 1)
+	elseif node.name == "mcl_core:darksapling" then
+		grow = sapling_grow_action("mcl_core:darktree", "mcl_core:darkleaves", 1, 2)
+	elseif node.name == "mcl_core:junglesapling" then
+		grow = sapling_grow_action("mcl_core:jungletree", "mcl_core:jungleleaves", 1, 2)
+	elseif node.name == "mcl_core:acaciasapling" then
+		grow = sapling_grow_action("mcl_core:acaciatree", "mcl_core:acacialeaves", 1, 2)
+	elseif node.name == "mcl_core:sprucesapling" then
+		grow = sapling_grow_action("mcl_core:sprucetree", "mcl_core:spruceleaves", 1, 1)
+	elseif node.name == "mcl_core:birchsapling" then
+		grow = sapling_grow_action("mcl_core:birchtree", "mcl_core:birchleaves", 1, 1)
+	end
+	if grow then
+		grow(pos)
+		return true
+	else
+		return false
+	end
+end
+
 -- TODO: Use better tree models for everything
 -- TODO: Support 2×2 saplings
 
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_dye/init.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_dye/init.lua
index ec0ff41310..9122453982 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_dye/init.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_dye/init.lua
@@ -128,10 +128,11 @@ mcl_dye.apply_bone_meal = function(pointed_thing)
 	n = minetest.get_node(pos)
 	if n.name == "" then return false end
 	local stage = ""
-	if n.name == "mcl_core:sapling" then
-		minetest.add_node(pos, {name="air"})
-		mcl_core.generate_tree(pos, "mcl_core:tree", "mcl_core:leaves", 1)
-		return true
+	if minetest.get_item_group(n.name, "sapling") >= 1 then
+		-- 45% chance to advance growth stage of sapling
+		if math.random(1,100) <= 45 then
+			return mcl_core.grow_sapling(pos, n)
+		end
 	elseif string.find(n.name, "mcl_farming:wheat_") ~= nil then
 		stage = string.sub(n.name, -1)
 		if stage == "3" then