The Truth About How Minnesota Trees Survive Cold Temperatures

It's an extremely cold run of weather lately in Minnesota, leading the National Weather Service to issue several Extreme Cold Warnings throughout the state and into portions of Wisconsin.

Then, of course, there were warnings that the extreme temperatures could cause trees to explode. It turns out that when temperatures (not wind chills) drop to around -20 or colder, it places stress on the tree's structure and ultimately leads to a split or crack in the tree, which is audible when it occurs and can even lead to parts of the tree falling to the ground.

It sure sounds like cold Minnesota winters can take their toll on trees, just like other living things, so you might wonder how trees survive the brutally cold temperatures year after year. It turns out, trees are quite resilient.

How Trees Survive The Cold Weather In Minnesota

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, trees survive brutally cold winters by being able to adapt in four ways.

1. Trees’ Cells Have Natural “Antifreeze.”

Living trees are actually full of water, but it doesn't freeze because the water inside their cells contains dissolved substances, like sugar and other compounds, that lower the freezing point and prevent damage. This helps native trees like quaking aspen, which can survive temperatures colder than 50 below zero. However

However, despite this natural protection, trees can get “frost cracks,” which are vertical cracks in the wood caused by rapid temperature drops when the water and sap inside the tree freeze and expand. Frost cracks aren’t fatal, but they can lead to a tree developing decay, insects, and disease.

2. Winter Dormancy Conserves Energy

Like animals hibernating, trees have a similar process that begins as day lengths start shortening in the fall. The DNR says that many tree species, such as birch and maple, enter dormancy, a resting state similar to hibernation. Their metabolism slows, above-ground growth stops, and energy use drops, allowing them to conserve resources until spring.

3. Trees Drop Or Keep Their Leaves

Deciduous trees, like maples, birches, and aspen, have leaves that can't handle the cold well. To conserve energy and water contained in their leaves, deciduous trees move nutrients from leaves into their hardier woody tissues in the fall, then drop their leaves.

On the other hand, coniferous trees hold less water in their leaves (or needles), which also have a protective wax-like coating that reduces their risk of freezing. Keeping their leaves through the winter allows coniferous trees to continue to produce energy through photosynthesis.

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4. Trees Are Shaped For Shedding Snow And Maximizing Sunlight

The coldest forests around the world are dominated by conifer species of trees. There are several reasons for this, but one is their shape. The traditional, conical shape of a pine or spruce helps the snow slide off its branches, and its limbs are shorter and more flexible, reducing the risk of breaking.

The relatively longer lower branches of conifers, as compared to the more umbrella-like shape of some deciduous trees, also help the tree absorb more sunlight and photosynthesize when the sun is lower on the horizon, which is the case during Minnesota winters.

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The strategies for Minnesota trees to survive the cold, harsh winter months didn't happen overnight. The DNR notes that they have been developed over time. If you'd like to learn more about trees, forests, and what species would grow well on your land, DNR Woodland Landowner Handbooks are a great resource.