Can trees 'explode' during extreme cold weather?

NO. Extreme cold weather can cause trees to snap and branches to break, but a viral social media post that says trees "explode" in cold weather is misleading. 

During periods of extreme cold, sap inside a tree can freeze, which leads to expansion. That pressure can cause tree trunks to break and branches to snap, resulting in a loud noise that can sound like an explosion.

AllSides highlights content from Gigafact, a network of newsrooms that respond to online claims. View the full fact brief on South Dakota News Watch.