Virginia Tech professor explains tree damage during winter freeze
John Seiler, a professor at Virginia Tech, observed a cherry tree on campus with a distinct jagged scar along its trunk, a consequence of severe cold, commonly referred to on social media as a “tree explosion,” reports BritPanorama.
Seiler, specializing in tree physiology, immediately recognized this phenomenon as a result of freezing temperatures. The tree had “broken open in the cold,” he noted, clarifying that while such occurrences might sound alarming, they are not as dramatic as the term suggests.
As more than half of the United States prepares for a formidable winter storm, meteorologists are highlighting the potential for similar incidents. However, Seiler emphasized that these so-called “exploding trees” are scientifically termed “frost cracks.” These cracks occur when temperatures drop rapidly, not allowing trees to acclimatize, causing sap or water within to freeze.
“That water expands as it freezes,” explained Doug Aubrey, a professor at the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. This expansion results in intense pressure on the bark, which can lead to cracking, often accompanied by a loud sound reminiscent of an explosion.
Seiler compared the phenomenon to a common mishap: when a can of soda left in the freezer bursts after freezing. Anecdotal evidence suggests these events have been recorded historically and in current observations, yet they do not pose a significant danger to people or the tree’s overall health.
While they may produce a startling noise, Seiler assured that it is not harmful. “It’s going to be loud, but it’s not dangerous. Wood doesn’t go flying through the area,” he stated. However, he cautioned that exposed bark could be vulnerable to insects or diseases.
Aubrey elaborated that if a tree’s base freezes, it might perish, although many species can regenerate from underground buds. Conversely, if freezing occurs in a branch, that section might be lost, but the tree could survive.
Amid the ongoing winter storm’s threat, concern remains about falling branches due to heavy ice or snow accumulation. Aubrey pointed out that larger tree species could be particularly susceptible to branch breakage under these conditions, posing risks to property and safety.
Seiler reiterated the potential dangers, emphasizing, “If there’s a heavy ice accumulation and wet snow accumulation, you don’t want to have a branch fall on your head. That’s extremely, extremely dangerous.”
