In trees that aren’t completely dormant, cold weather causes tree sap to freeze. When that happens, Newsweek reports, the sap expands beyond what the tree’s bark can contain.

Earth Science Texas Trees Are Exploding Due to Cold Weather Residents reported hearing what sounded like gunshots go off as the cold weather caused sap in the trees to expand.

The recent cold front in Texas has caused frozen trees to start exploding, making sounds like gunshots, according to state residents. In this photo, two birds sit on a tree branch covered in snow.

Exploding trees is not a new phenomenon, but it is one that many are unfamiliar with. As temperatures fall, tree sap begins to freeze and expand within the trees’ branches, generating huge ...

Cold weather can cause water in a tree's sap to freeze and expand, weighing down a tree's limb and forcing it to break off, creating an exploding noise in the process.

North Texas residents alarmed by popping and snapping outside say they’re experiencing an unusual phenomenon of "exploding trees." The trees "explode" when water in the tree's sap freezes and ...

The time is right but not the temperature for Chicagoland Sugar Maples to start dripping their sap into collecting buckets to make syrup.

Exploding Oaks If the bark is dry however, the next easiest path for the bolt is inside the tree, through the damp, sugary sap.