During and after a long harsh winter – extreme temps, ice, and snow – you may see what’s known as “frost cracks” in the trees in the landscaping at your Bethesda MD home.

Frost cracks happen when water in the cells of the tree trunk freezes and moves out of the cells, causing the wood to shrink. Tension forms between the frozen and unfrozen layers of wood, which causes the wood to separate, causing a crack. The crack can form suddenly – you may even hear a loud cracking sound. When temperatures warm, the wood absorbs moisture and the crack closes. Frost cracks can reopen and enlarge in subsequent winters and may extend to the center of the tree. Damage is most often seen on the south and west sides of the tree, where the sun is strongest.

The following species are more likely to develop frost cracks: apple, beech, crabapple, elm, goldenrain tree, horse chestnut, linden, London plane, maple, oak, walnut, and willow.

Frost cracks may be somewhat avoided with proper pruning of your landscaping in Bethesda MD. Some tree trunks can be wrapped for the winter, which will need to be removed when the weather warms up. A tree can also be protected by planting evergreen shrubs around the trunk. Shrubs can insulate the trunk from extremes in temperatures and shield it from direct afternoon sunlight.

Frost cracks can’t be fixed; however, they should be kept clean to prevent infection, and be left open. A healthy tree will try to heal itself, and may form a callus along the crack.

Once a crack occurs, another crack will probably form in the same area of the tree. You can help prevent a reoccurrence by wrapping the trunk of the tree in tree wrap for the winter. (You’ll want to remove the wrap as soon as temperatures warm in late winter or spring. Leaving the wrap on too long provides a secure hiding place for insects and disease organisms.)

For more information about frost cracks and your landscaping in Bethesda MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. East Coast Landscape Design is head and shoulders above other landscaping companies in Bethesda MD. For over 30 years, East Coast Landscape Design has designed and installed beautiful landscape and hardscape projects around Bethesda MD and surrounding communities.