For some, winter is an enjoyable season. However, its harsh conditions can damage trees. Fluctuating temperatures and extreme cold at night can stress even mature, dormant trees, leading to frost cracks. If you’ve ever heard what sounds like a cracking whip or a rifle shot coming out of a forest or woodland, this could be a sign of frost crack. Read on as Kingsport arborists at Promier Tree provide everything you need to know about frost cracks.
What is a frost crack, and how does it happen?
Frost cracks occur when the bark and wood of a tree split vertically. These cracks occur in periods of sudden or extended temperature change. The tree bark expands and contracts in response to these temperature fluctuations because of the expansion of the water inside the wood. Freezing water can expand by up to 10%, and when it expands, it takes up more space. Sometimes the rigidity of the tree bark can’t contain it, leading to frost cracks.
These cracks often happen due to large fluctuations between the temperature during the day and the night. When temperatures plunge overnight, the bark quickly cools and then contracts. However, wood on the tree’s interior cools and contracts at a slower rate. This stretches the surface bark taut over the interior wood. Eventually, the shrinking bark loses its structural integrity and cracks. You find these frost cracks most often on the southern and western sides of a tree because these are the sides of a tree that receive the most warming sunlight during the day.
What kind of damage can a frost crack do?
First, let the tree try to heal on its own. Using sealant or a patch to cover a frost crack is detrimental to the tree’s health. The biggest threat after a frost crack is that the internal wood of the tree becomes exposed and thus is vulnerable to disease or pest infestation.
Is there a way to prevent frost cracks?
You can avoid frost cracks by trying to keep your trees as healthy as you can. Make sure to water trees during dry periods of the winter. Place a layer of compost in the soil surrounding your tree in spring and the fall. Apply a layer of organic mulch around the tree’s drip line and use a slow-release fertilizer at the start of the growing season. If this sounds like a lot, and it is, you can trust your tree maintenance to tree care professionals in Kingsport like the team at Promier Tree.
Evaluating Winter Tree Damage in Kingsport, Bristol, and Johnson City
Do you think your trees have experienced frost cracks and subsequent damage? The only way to know for sure is to have your tree’s health evaluated by an experienced arborist. The arborists at Promier Tree possess a wealth of knowledge about all the tree species common to East Tennessee. Plus, our arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture. Schedule a consultation with one of our arborists today by calling (423) 872-2988.