Can trees explode due to cold temps? Officials say not exactly

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A social media post gone viral begging a big question. Can trees explode from cold temperatures?

This past week, meteorologist Max Velocity took to X to warn people in the Midwest about exploding trees, citing that severe freezing temperatures could be a factor.

EXPLODING TREES are possible in the Midwest and Northern Plains on Friday and Saturday, as temperatures are forecasted to fall 20 degrees BELOW zero! pic.twitter.com/nqnoqsbHNU

— Max Velocity (@MaxVelocityWX) January 21, 2026

Well, that’s not exactly true. At least according to the National Weather Service in Omaha.

They say it’s more of an explosion sound than an actual explosion. It’s when water or sap builds up in a tree, freezes, and rapidly expands.

Suzanne Fortin, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, says she’s never actually seen something like this happen, but there’s a very slim chance.

“I’ve never been around one when it actually happened. I don’t know if it’s instantaneous or if it builds up over time,” Fortin said. “It’s really more about the sap freezing and expanding.”

The wind chills are expected to be around -20 to -30 this weekend in Lincoln. But Fortin says those temps would need to be 20 degrees colder than that to see any combustion.

So, it’s an extremely rare phenomenon. “I’ve seen the aftermath, but it’s pretty rare,” said Fortin. “We are not going to reach that level of cold. We won’t have to be really concerned or anything like that.”

Fortin also says this type of thing is really susceptible to younger, smaller trees, plants, and bushes.

So, Lincolnites should have no concern. Although this type of incident would be a little more likely farther north in Nebraska.