What are Exploding Trees? Know the Reason Behind Them

Exploding trees are not actual explosions but rather loud cracking noises produced by the splitting of trees under extreme cold or other stresses. 

Tree Explosion is a rare occurrence that tends to attract many people’s attention during harsh winter seasons when the loud cracking noises are heard in a forest or neighborhood, sounding like gunshots. 

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), tree damage due to frost tends to increase during winters in the U.S., with sudden temperature changes of -20°F or lower causing significant stress to trees in urban and natural settings. 

Learn about Exploding trees, its causes, signs, warnings, and safety tips in this article perfect for winter storm prep and understanding nature's loudest winter secret.

What are Exploding Trees?

Exploding Trees are trees that explode with a loud noise, like gunshots, when the internal pressure of the tree builds up and causes the bark to split as a result of adverse weather conditions. 

This is not an explosion but rather a frost crack or a split in the tree that releases the pressure. Exploding trees occurs mainly during the winter months when the sap in the tree freezes, but it can also be caused by heat, lightning, or fire. 

Most trees will survive such occurrences, but areas around the tree may become vulnerable to pests.

What is the Reason Behind Exploding Trees?

Exploding trees are mostly caused by freezing sap. Water expands by 9% when it freezes, putting pressure on the wood and bark until they explode.

Lack of acclimation to cold weather makes it worse, as the outer bark contracts while the sap inside expands.

Other factors include lightning that boils sap into steam or eucalyptus oils that catch fire during a bushfire.

Key causes:

• Extreme cold: Drops over 30°F in hours freeze moist trees.

• Lightning: Heats sapwood, bursting trunks in storms.

• Fire: Vaporized oils in species like eucalyptus explode on contact.

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What are the Signs of Exploding Trees?

Look for vertical cracks or ridges on trunks, especially facing prevailing winds, and hear sharp cracks at night during cold snaps.

These frost cracks often appear on younger or thin-barked trees like maples and oaks. Bark may discolor or ooze after splitting, signaling vulnerability.

Warning signs include:

• Loud pops or booms in sub-zero temps.

• Vertical splits 10-50 feet up trunks.

• Frost heaving around roots in saturated soil.

What is an Exploding Tree Warning?

Forecasters issue alerts during polar vortexes or Arctic blasts, advising avoidance of wooded areas at night when sounds peak.

No official "exploding tree" code exists, but NOAA winter storm warnings cover related risks like falling ice-laden limbs. Stay indoors during rapid freezes below -15°F.

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Conclusion

Exploding trees showcase the raw power of nature in frost cracks caused by the freezing of sap. Knowledge about the causes and indicators of exploding trees keeps you safe during a winter storm, and what’s frightening becomes interesting science. Enjoy the cold—trees can withstand it, and so can we.