US EditionWhat are ‘exploding trees’? The winter phenomenon may not be what you think
- This weekend, social-media meteorologists warned that 'exploding trees' could occur in the Midwest and Northern Plains as an Arctic blast arrives, affecting over 150 million people.
- Experts including Tom Tiddens, supervisor of the Plant Health Care Department at the Chicago Botanic Garden, explained that water can actually expand up to 10% when it freezes, causing pressure that can split trunks in a frost crack.
- Bill McNee, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources forest health specialist, said, `That just creates a lot of physical pressure that can lead to the frost cracking appearing suddenly, branches can fall off, and people hear this really loud crack from their tree, almost like a gunshot.`
- Heavy ice on branches can cause them to fall, posing danger to homeowners and the public while stressing power lines with 100–500 pounds added per span.
- Amid the hype, local experts emphasize that true tree 'explosions' are very rare and tied to specific local temperature swings, while the National Weather Service warns of life-threatening cold with wind chills as low as minus 50.
51 Articles
51 Articles
"Tree explosions" in North Dakota explained: What's real and what's not
MINOT, ND (KXNET) — As extreme cold temperatures continue to rock states across the country, like North Dakota, videos of "exploding trees" have popped up all over social media. But experts say they're not as scary as they may seem. Trees are not actually exploding across the country - rather, they're suffering frost cracks, or [...]
The Videos Of Trees EXPLODING From The Extreme Cold Are Wild
It's colder than your ex-girlfriend's heart out there in much of the United States right now. And I'm sure our friends in the north are probably going to roll their eyes and call me a moron per usual,...
Cold Arctic air has arrived in the United States, and warnings of "exploding" trees have appeared on social media. In low temperatures, trees do indeed crack from frost, and the sound can resemble an explosion. Physically, the tree will crack, but it certainly won't explode.
How does a tree survive winter?
As we continue along winter’s path, I envision the coming of spring in my mind. I know this week's cold snap really took me off guard, but it is winter, and it was inevitable. I find myself trying harder and harder to stay positive in a cold and windy setting, knowing how much I love the heat. In fact, I adore the heat; the hotter the better, I always say. It is a rare day you find me in the garden in anything other than flannel and a sweatshirt…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 58% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
