This occurs at elevations where the roots are in frozen ground and warm winds cause excessive transpiration. Foliage is lost and the trees have less area for photosynthesis. Frost Injury 3. Can be minimized by planting of native trees of species from a local seed source. Frost Crack 4.
Frost cracks occur on hardwoods and softwoods in the northern latitudes.
A sudden and pronounced drop of the temperature in the winter causes the outer layers of wood to contract more rapidly than the inner layers. An elongated narrow slit results which may be up to several feet long and extend deep into the tree. A similar type of injury is Frost Shake which is a separation of wood along a growth ring and is formed as a result of the sudden warming of the outer layers of the xylem while the inner tissues are still cold. Drought Injury 5. Trees that under prolonged drought will develop marginal necrosis as moisture becomes limited.