Cracked bark and wood creates a long vertical wound typical of the phenomenon commonly called “exploding trees.” / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665
This past winter, “exploding trees” went viral on social media. Many news outlets followed up with a more realistic explanation of the dramatically named phenomenon, pointing out that while the bitter cold can cause sudden cracks to form on trees, the trees don’t truly explode.
But what happens to those damaged trees as we warm up and move into the growing season?