Are exploding trees actually real? - Ask Extension
Hello! I’m hearing people talk about exploding trees and feel like this is exploding into a hype. Is this even real? Can branches or trunks explode ...
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Are exploding trees actually real? #923837
Asked January 21, 2026, 5:24 PM EST
Hello! I’m hearing people talk about exploding trees and feel like this is exploding into a hype. Is this even real? Can branches or trunks explode more than a somewhat gentle break or tear when sap freezes too quickly? Explode sounds like a loud, violent and dangerous hazard, but branches breaking or trunks getting tears in them aren’t. Thanks for your help!
Ottawa County Michigan
Expert Response
It is an “explosion, so to speak” and only sometimes, in extreme weather conditions especially a big change from warm to cold. It is known as a frost crack.
From Purdue University Extension
“However, sometimes, trees aren’t able to withstand extreme conditions, especially if nature provides an unusual change. While trees have evolved amazing strategies for withstanding the winter cold, sometimes it gets so cold that trees can explode. During spells of extreme cold or especially when trees haven’t had time to acclimate before the cold arrives, the life-sustaining sap inside a tree can begin to freeze. Sap contains water so it expands when frozen, putting pressure on the bark, which can break and create an explosion, so to speak.”
The complete bulletin with details of frost cracking is here-
https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/what-do-trees-do-in-the-winter/
The other “explosion” that can happen is when a tree is struck by lightning. Sometimes the heat boils the water in the sap, creates steam, and the steam forces bark off the trunk very fast, and sometimes breaks the trunk apart.
https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/about/blog/2015/04/01/exploding-trees-now-showing-at-your-local-arboretum/
From Purdue University Extension
“However, sometimes, trees aren’t able to withstand extreme conditions, especially if nature provides an unusual change. While trees have evolved amazing strategies for withstanding the winter cold, sometimes it gets so cold that trees can explode. During spells of extreme cold or especially when trees haven’t had time to acclimate before the cold arrives, the life-sustaining sap inside a tree can begin to freeze. Sap contains water so it expands when frozen, putting pressure on the bark, which can break and create an explosion, so to speak.”
The complete bulletin with details of frost cracking is here-
https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/what-do-trees-do-in-the-winter/
The other “explosion” that can happen is when a tree is struck by lightning. Sometimes the heat boils the water in the sap, creates steam, and the steam forces bark off the trunk very fast, and sometimes breaks the trunk apart.
https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/about/blog/2015/04/01/exploding-trees-now-showing-at-your-local-arboretum/
