topic Re: Exploding Trees in Community Chat

"Exploding" Trees

Cakers3 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 01:01:58 GMT

I have never heard about exploding trees.

"Cold weather will cause some trees to shatter by freezing the sap, because it contains water, which expands as it freezes, creating a sound like a gunshot.[ The sound is produced as the tree bark splits, with the wood contracting as the sap expands." 😱

Just saw a clip on the news although no trees are exploding around here.😯

With all the extreme cold something new to learn 🤔

Re: Exploding Trees

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:34:03 GMT

@Cakers3

I have heard of this before ... somewhere. Did they say what type of trees these were?

Re: Exploding Trees

beach-mom — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:39:37 GMT

@Cakers3 - Thanks for sharing this! I've never heard of them either, and it was really interesting. We have a lot of trees around us, and it's something I should be aware of.

People around us seem to like fireworks, so we hear those all of the time, but if I heard the sound of something like a gunshot I would take notice!

Re: Exploding Trees

Cakers3 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:46:23 GMT

@beach-mom

From what I found maple and birch trees can be subject to "exploding" because of thinner bark.

There could be others especially young trees with thinner bark.

I thought about the maple tree because of the sap, like tapping for maple syrup.

I found the use of "exploding" interesting because it's not as though they burst and shatter all over the place but it's only the bark splitting which makes the sound.

Re: Exploding Trees

shoekitty — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:51:13 GMT

I would think trees with a lot of sap. My first thought was maple, but I looked it up. It said Oak, Ash and Walnut. What was interesting! There are some plants that explode so to speak as well ..and for a grander purpose in mind, lol. Plants like Milkweed, Squirting Cucumber and a few others ,when frozen to a certain point, explode and spew their seeds...I would think this would lead to propagation. Anyway, I didn't really know all this, and I find it very interesting. Some of the things you learn here, if you look up and read!

Re: Exploding Trees

Cakers3 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:48:37 GMT

@Tinkrbl44

See my post to beach-mom. I originally posted I to you but when I edit and add another poster it bumps the first one out 🤔😯

Re: Exploding Trees

SilleeMee — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 01:36:18 GMT

My silver maple tree has been around for many years and it has never had any issues in very cold weather. It has been below zero here on more than one occasion and no exploding trees around my neck of the woods.

Re: Exploding Trees

Marp — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 03:22:42 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
My silver maple tree has been around for many years and it has never had any issues in very cold weather. It has been below zero here on more than one occasion and no exploding trees around my neck of the woods.

@SilleeMee, Out of curiosity I had to look up the temperature at which trees can explode and the general answer was -40F. I would think it also would have to be for a prolonged period of time.