Are Exploding Trees in Freezing Weather Real?

LOUISIANA (KMDL-FM) - With Louisiana and over 200 million people across the U.S. currently under a Winter Storm Warning as we head into the weekend, there's something that keeps popping up online that has people saying "Um, do what now?"

That something that has grabbed people's attention is...exploding trees. That's right, in some areas of the U.S. it's getting so cold that there is a risk of trees...exploding.

Can trees really explode in extremely cold temperatures?

Here's what we found out...

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Are Exploding Trees In Cold Weather Real?

When temperatures plunge during a winter freeze, some people swear they hear loud booms outside that sound like gunshots or fireworks. Believe it or not, those noises might be coming from trees. Yes, trees really can “explode” in cold weather, and it’s a documented natural phenomenon.

What Causes Trees to Explode During Extreme Cold?

The loud popping sound comes from a process known as "frost cracking" or "frost splitting". Inside a tree, sap contains water. When temperatures drop rapidly, that water freezes and expands. The sudden expansion creates internal pressure.

If the pressure becomes too much for the wood to handle, the tree can crack violently. That cracking can happen so fast and so loudly that it sounds like an explosion, especially during quiet winter nights.

It's not really an explosion, but more of loud pops and cracks as the trees split.

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From sctimes.com -

Not quite an explosion, but the natural phenomenon is actually known as "frost cracking," which refers to vertical splits in trees. And while it's mostly safe, it could damage the trees, said Eric Otto, a forest health specialist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Can Exploding Trees Happen In Louisiana?

While frost cracking is more common in northern states and Canada, it can happen in southern states during rare but severe cold snaps. Trees not adapted to extreme cold are particularly vulnerable when Arctic air pushes unusually far south.

This being said, if any exploding trees were to be reported this weekend in Louisiana, it would most likely be in North Louisiana, not in Acadiana.