Image Credit: Corbis via Getty Images If this winter hasn't been cold enough for you, imagine how a tree "explosion" could make it worse. As temperatures drop in multiple states across the United States, a viral social media post of the "exploding trees" phenomenon raised concern for people living in the Midwest and northern plains. Find out what to watch out for this winter when it comes to frozen trees. Can Trees Actually Explode in Extreme Cold? Trees don't actually "explode," despite the viral rumor that has spread, but they can split in frigid temperatures.