Tree problems · Other damage
Frost cracks: signs and what to do
Frost cracks is a kind of non-living (abiotic) damage, often seen on maples, honeylocust, lindens. Look for: a long vertical split in the trunk, often on the south or southwest side.
General information, not a diagnosis. A certified arborist or your county extension office can confirm.
- Other damage
- Maples
- Honeylocust
- Lindens
- Sycamores and planetrees
- Oaks
- Many young or thin-barked trees
Signs to look for
Tick what you see. More ticks make it more likely, but only an on-site look can confirm.
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Season
Cracks form in winter, usually after a sharp drop in temperature, often following a sunny day. They may be noticed in late winter or early spring.
How it spreads
A frost crack is not a disease and does not spread from tree to tree. A crack on one tree can open wider in later winters, and can let decay in over time.
Where it is found
Frost cracks happen where winters have big temperature swings, especially in the northern and central United States. They can show up on trees in milder areas after a hard freeze.
Official sources
What to do
- 1
Take photos of the crack and note which side of the tree it is on and how long it is.
- 2
Do not pull the crack apart, nail it shut or fill it with concrete or foam.
- 3
Let the tree seal the crack on its own. Extension sources advise against wound paint.
- 4
Keep young trees well watered during dry spells, so they enter winter in good shape.
- 5
Watch the tree each year for decay, dead branches or a growing crack.
- 6
Ask a certified arborist to check a cracked tree if it stands near a house, driveway or play area.
Safety first: do not climb, do not cut near power lines and do not use a chainsaw on storm-loaded wood. Call the utility for downed lines and 911 if anyone is in danger.
Prevention
Wrap the trunks of young, thin-barked trees with light-colored tree wrap in late fall and remove it in spring. Water well before the ground freezes. Avoid wounding the trunk with mowers and string trimmers. Plant trees suited to your climate.
When to call a pro
Call a certified arborist if the crack is deep, long, or reopens each winter, if you see decay or mushrooms, or if the tree leans or has dead limbs. A weakened trunk near a target needs a trained, insured crew to judge.
Not sure who to call? Read how to hire a tree service or check is my tree dangerous?
Trees it affects
Usually seen on: Maples, Honeylocust, Lindens, Sycamores and planetrees, Oaks, Many young or thin-barked trees.
- Red Maple
- Sugar Maple
- Silver Maple
- Norway Maple
- Japanese Maple
- Honeylocust
- American Linden
- London Planetree
- American sycamore
- White Oak
- Northern Red Oak
- Pin Oak
- Tulip Poplar
- Horse Chestnut
- Black walnut
- Ginkgo
See all species in our tree library, or pick a tougher tree with the tree picker.
For tree companies
How to explain frost cracks to a customer
Be honest that many frost cracks heal and the tree lives on for years. Explain the signs of a crack that is a real risk, like deep splits with decay. Give the owner an option to watch, brace or remove, and put it in writing. Do not use fear to sell a removal.
Send this page to the customer after your visit so they can read the signs in plain words. See also selling plant health care and the job photo checklist.
Questions
What is a frost crack?
It is a vertical split in the trunk caused by fast temperature changes in winter. The outer wood cools and shrinks faster than the inner wood, and the trunk splits.
Will my tree die from a frost crack?
Many trees live on for years. But cracks can reopen each winter and let in decay, which can weaken the trunk over time.
Should I seal or paint the crack?
Extension sources generally advise against it. Let the tree seal itself. Do not fill or nail the crack.
Which trees get frost cracks?
Thin-barked and young trees, and trees planted in sunny, exposed spots, are most at risk. Many species can be affected.
Is a cracked tree dangerous?
It can be if there is decay or the split is deep. Have a certified arborist look at any cracked tree near a house or a place people use.
How is a frost crack different from sunscald?
Sunscald kills a patch of bark and the living tissue under it, while a frost crack is a split in the wood. They are related, and one can lead to the other.
Can Lirevon diagnose frost cracks on my tree?
No. Lirevon is a remote marketing team for tree service companies and does not do tree work. This page is general information, not a diagnosis. A certified arborist or your county extension office can confirm what is wrong with your tree.
How do I find a good local pro for this?
Search Google Maps for certified arborists or tree services near you, read their reviews and ask for proof of insurance. Get two or three written quotes. Our guide on how to hire a tree service lists the questions to ask.
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