Exploding trees: the winter phenomenon behind frost cracks

When temperatures drop suddenly, trapped water can freeze and expand, splitting trunks with a gunshot-like soundDuring the recent cold spell in the northern US, meteorologists issued warnings about exploding trees.A tree's first line of defence against freezing is its bark, which provides efficient insulation. In cold conditions, trees also enter a form of hibernation, with changes at a cellular level: cells dehydrate, harden and shrink, increasing their sugar concentration. This is the botanical equivalent of adding antifreeze, helping to prevent the formation of ice crystals. Continue reading...