Braun Tree Service - Big City Sawmill

03/22/2026

It's a good time to get on the schedule to get those unsightly stumps removed, free estimates, give us a call. 515 341 1001

02/04/2026

Enjoying the beautiful day!

01/28/2026

Now we just need the weather to cooperate so we can put this thing to work!

01/22/2026

Exploding trees? We call dibs on the band name, but just like our dreams of rock stardom, nothing's going to blow up here.

But, you say, I saw this thing on the interwebs...well, frost cracks are a real thing, and maybe a good backup band name.

In late winter and early spring, when temperatures can change significantly and rapidly, trees can get wounded. You, however, are less likely to get wounded in this scenario.

Here's what happens to the trees:
Sap warmed by the sun during the day then can freeze rapidly and expand when temps drop, leading to a crack in the tree. These cracks usually happen on the south or west side of a tree, where there's more sunlight to warm sap.

Also, the bark and outer layers of wood on a tree will shrink faster in the cold than the inner parts of the tree trunk, also leading to a crack.

The good news here, if you're a tree, is that you're probably going to be just okay, and no, you're not going to blow up. The wound just needs time to heal on its own. (Bigger injuries, of course, should be assessed by a certified arborist.)

If you have young trees, wrap them in white tree paper (available at nurseries and garden stores) over winter to help regulate temperature. After the threat of frost is gone, remove it so you're not trapping moisture, bacteria and other unhelpful things.

tl;dr: no tree explosions. Just kinda boring cracks.

12/17/2025

Santa dropped us an early Christmas present today!

11/15/2025

Not too late to get your stumps ground out before winter! Call 515 341 1001

07/06/2025

05/02/2025

05/25/2024

Cleaning up some storm damage.

05/24/2024

Another beautiful day!

05/16/2024

White pines, Clear Lake Iowa.