Jacksonville Journal-Courier on MSN

Exploding trees? A closer look at frost cracking

Frost cracks appear as vertical splits in the trunk of a tree and are the result of plant tissue expansion and contraction.
Social media posts warning of "exploding trees" in subzero temperatures are mischaracterizing a phenomenon known as frost cracks. Frost cracks form when water inside trees freezes and expands. As a ...
The sandbox tree launches seeds at 150 mph by exploding its ripe fruits. This explosive dispersal helps seeds escape crowded forest competition. The tree grows in tropical rainforests from Mexico to ...