Which of the following is a winter injury symptom?

• A. Splitting of bark (frost cracking).
• B. Rapid winter flowering.
• C. Deep green bark that remains unchanged.
• D. Black spots on fruit only.

Answer: (A)

Winter injury shows up most clearly as physical damage to bark from cold, drying, and temperature fluctuations. Splitting or frost cracking of the bark is a classic sign because freezing water in the bark expands and thaw–freeze cycles stress the outer tissues, causing cracks to form. This visible crack is a direct indicator that the tree has endured winter stress.

The other options don’t fit as winter injury symptoms. Rapid winter flowering isn’t a damage sign from cold; it can happen with unusual warm spells or other triggers but doesn’t reflect tissue injury from winter conditions. Deep green bark that remains unchanged suggests the bark hasn’t been harmed. Black spots on fruit point to disease or other fruit-specific issues rather than winter injury to the tree’s bark or wood.