In trees that aren’t completely dormant, cold weather causes tree sap to freeze. When that happens, Newsweek reports, the sap expands beyond what the tree’s bark can contain.

The recent cold front in Texas has caused frozen trees to start exploding, making sounds like gunshots, according to state residents. In this photo, two birds sit on a tree branch covered in snow.

North Texas residents alarmed by popping and snapping outside say they’re experiencing an unusual phenomenon of "exploding trees." The trees "explode" when water in the tree's sap freezes and ...