What’s causing 'exploding trees' in the Chicago area?

Are ‘exploding trees’ real? Expert explains viral winter videos | ChicagoLIVE

Ice is hazardous. For those who don’t believe in exploding trees, here’s an explanation: An exploded tree is a tree that splits or bursts due to extreme conditions, such as very cold temperatures or lightning strikes. In cold weather, the sap inside the tree can freeze and expand, causing the bark to crack and produce a loud noise, while lightning can heat the sap rapidly, creating steam pressure that causes the trunk to burst. Also known as a frost crack. Be very careful with #ice It’s dangerou