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Trees 'Explode' in Cold: It's Not What You Think!
23 Jan
Summary
- Sudden cold causes tree sap to freeze and expand, creating frost cracks.
- These 'explosions' are loud cracks, not dangerous projectiles.
- Heavy ice accumulation on branches poses a greater risk than frost cracks.
The recent extreme cold is causing trees to exhibit a phenomenon social media calls 'tree explosions.' However, experts clarify that these are not actual explosions but a natural event known as frost cracks.
These frost cracks occur when temperatures drop suddenly, causing the water or sap within a tree to freeze. The expanding ice exerts pressure on the wood and bark, leading to splits that produce a loud cracking sound, often mistaken for an explosion.
While the 'exploding' trees are startling, they pose little danger to people or the trees themselves. The primary risk associated with severe winter weather is the accumulation of heavy ice and snow on tree branches, which can cause them to break or fall, creating a hazard.
