“Extreme Cold Snap Raises Concerns of Exploding Trees”

We are only a few weeks into 2026, and amidst the ongoing events, now the issue of trees exploding has emerged? Seriously?

Well, not exactly.

A significant portion of Canada and the northern United States are currently facing extremely cold temperatures, with the mercury dropping below –20 C — even reaching as low as –40 C with wind chill in certain areas across these regions in the upcoming days.

While residents in these regions prepare for the harsh cold snap caused by a disruption in the polar vortex pushing Arctic air southward to the U.S. Deep South, a viral post on social media claimed that temperatures could plummet so drastically in seven states, ranging from North and South Dakota to Michigan, that trees might explode.

The severe cold weather poses a genuine threat to residents and is expected to contribute to a widespread and potentially perilous storm spanning nearly 30 states from Friday to Monday — but not necessarily resulting in trees spontaneously bursting.

“There have been rumors circulating about the possibility of trees in Minnesota exploding due to the plunging temperatures,” mentioned Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources in a Facebook post. “Fortunately, there is no need to avoid the woods to evade this risk.”

However, this doesn’t completely dismiss the claim. Here’s a brief overview of whether there is a possibility of “exploding trees” in this bitter cold spell — and other ways extreme temperature shifts can trigger explosive phenomena.

How is this phenomenon conceivable?

According to Simon Peacock, an ISA-certified arborist at Green Drop Tree Care in Winnipeg, when temperatures drastically and suddenly drop, it can lead to frost cracks in trees, especially in thin-barked varieties.

“This is a peculiar occurrence, more frequent in thin-barked trees,” he explained, noting its common incidence in the Prairies.

These vertical fissures can extend along the trunk’s length and can produce a loud noise when they occur, often likened to an explosion.

Bill McNee, a forest health specialist from Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources, stated that the rapid freezing of water and sap inside trees due to the sudden cold results in internal expansion, akin to ice cubes in a freezer, leading to splitting of trees and shedding of branches.