Exploding Trees? This Weird Winter Phenomenon May Sound Scary, But This Other Problem Is Actually Worse
In the depths of winter, your trees might make a sound like a canon blast. Learn about this phenomenon and an even more dangerous risk to trees in winter.
More than half of the U.S. has been plunged into frigid temperatures that are well below average and some communities have found themselves under record-breaking blankets of snow. Cold, snow, and ice can be deadly on their own but some people on social media are talking about “exploding trees” from the severe cold snap. Are exploding trees another thing we have to worry about on top of it all? Well, not really.
Trees can suffer damage and may split during a drastic drop in temperatures in a short period of time, but the trees don’t “explode.” This phenomenon is called frost cracking and it can sound like a gunshot which would be terrifying to those nearby. However, frost cracking doesn’t pose a threat to humans or even the tree it happens to. No splinters flying past your head!
However, there is a tree issue in the winter that is dangerous to you and your property. Let’s dig a little deeper.
Frost Cracking Explained
First, what are people talking about when they mention trees “exploding” in winter? This is something called frost cracking and it is not really an explosion. Frost cracking results from the rapid cooling and expansion of the moisture in the wood and bark of a tree. This sudden expansion results in a loud, explosive sound and the tree will have a crack along its trunk where the expansion occurred.
Frost cracking can be loud and startling, but it is not dangerous. It is also mostly harmless to the tree, unless disease or pests enter the trunk through the crack which could eventually harm the tree.
The Real Tree Danger in Winter
As we explored, frost cracking may be startling but it is not dangerous to humans or property. However, heavy snow and ice accumulating on trees in the winter is extremely dangerous.
Even small amounts of ice are heavy and put enormous stress on tree limbs causing them to snap and fall. And if you live in a more southern state that has broadleaf evergreen trees like southern magnolias, snow and ice clings to the large surface area of those beautiful leaves and makes the tree even more prone to breaking.
Trees and tree limbs falling from the weight of snow and ice can hurt people who might be walking along the sidewalk or standing in the yard. These falling hazards can also crush cars, roofs of homes, and take down power lines. (Safety note: Never go near a downed power line and stay at least 35 feet away from anything that it is touching. Call 911 immediately and notify your power company).
What To Do
Before the Winter: A little fall prevention can help to mitigate danger during the next snow and ice storm. Keep trees trimmed, especially near power lines, and call a professional if you can’t manage it yourself. Trimming smaller branches is easy with the use of a Fiskars combination pole saw and extendable tree pruner which can be purchased from Amazon.
Calling a certified arborist is advised when dealing with large limbs or dead limbs. These can be dangerous to remove and a professional will keep things safe for you and the tree.
Before the Storm: If you know snow is on the way, you can tie up delicate trees or young trees into a cone shape to help keep them supported under the weight of the winter precipitation. Use sturdy but flexible materials to safely tie up your tree. This could include bungee cords, nylon hose, or strips of fabric. You can find a spool of marine-grade bungee cord from Amazon.
After the Storm: If the snow has already covered your trees and branches are bending under the weight, use a broom to gently push upwards to remove the snow. Don’t push down or it will add more stress to the branches.
If ice has covered your precious trees, you will just have to leave it. Removing ice will damage the tree further and could lead to injury of yourself, as well.
