A viral social media post shared thousands of times warned of an “exploding tree risk” as temperatures from the Northern Plains to Great Lakes are set to plunge below zero from Friday, Jan. 23, to ...

Social media posts warning of "exploding trees" in subzero temperatures are mischaracterizing a phenomenon known as frost cracks. Frost cracks form when water inside trees freezes and expands. As a ...

Chip Murrow had never heard the term "exploding trees" in his 30 years as a forester for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Is there a danger of exploding trees in Iowa? And how does it happen?

(KTIV/KOTA) - Extreme cold is in the forecast for communities across the country. Trees, animals, and people can all be affected by extremely cold temperatures. But can trees explode due to the cold?

These forecasts have prompted warnings about protecting your water pipes, dressing for the weather, and, for some reason, the possibility of “exploding” trees. Earlier this week, posts shared to ...

Experts say trees do not explode but can crack loudly due to rapid temperature changes. This phenomenon, known as "frost cracking," occurs when tree sap freezes and expands. Young trees, thin-barked ...