Trees which are most susceptible to this type of injury are those with thin bark, such as certain fruit trees. Newly planted trees or young trees are more prone to bark-splitting. Bark splits are not likely to be fatal to trees, although they will, in some cases, allow entry of disease organisms which can cause decay. Frost cracks are also called southwest injury since this is the side of the tree most often affected. Painting the trunk white or wrapping with tree wrap helps prevent southwest injury.
Frost cracks can also start from a wound inflicted earlier in the tree's development.
Sometimes the crack may remain in the internal wood, but frost can cause the crack to expand and split the bark. Excessively late growth in the fall stimulated by warm temperatures, high humidity, and high nitrogen levels can increase susceptibility of trees to frost cracking. Fluctuating growth conditions may also cause splitting of bark. Sunscald, especially in winter months, can cause bark injury to thin barked or young trees. Although an exact split may not be seen immediately, the outer layer of bark will peel away from the affected area in the summer following winter damage.