Do trees actually explode? You may have seen the viral videos and claims of trees bursting open, sending shards of wood flying. While trees can ‘burst’ and crack, you won’t see such an explosion. As much of the country is experiencing a cold snap, heavy snow and ice can wreak havoc on trees. 

When temperatures drop suddenly or trees don’t have time to adjust to the cold,  the sap or water inside starts to freeze. The water expands as it freezes, which puts pressure on the bark and wood. This can cause a crack or a split, which often comes with a loud bang, almost like a gunshot. They’re called frost cracks, and in most cases, the tree can heal itself and survive. You may have seen the scars running down the trunks of trees that have healed over, such as this cherry tree