Are mushrooms growing at the base of my tree a bad sign?

Fungi that rot wood send up fruiting bodies, such as mushrooms or shelf-like brackets. When they grow right on the trunk, on the root flare, or from a stump, they can be a sign of decay.

Not every mushroom matters. Many grow from buried mulch, old roots or lawn thatch and do no harm to a living tree.

What matters is the whole picture: Is the tree thinning? Is bark loose or soft? Are there cavities, cracks or a lean? A pro can tap, probe and look for hidden decay. In some cases, more tests are used to measure how much sound wood is left.

Decayed trees can fail without warning, so have a large tree near a house or driveway checked. Do not eat wild mushrooms from trees or lawn.