Q: I have mushrooms growing from the exposed roots of a tree in the front yard. Does that mean the tree is dying?

A: It may not be dying but it surely is sick. Trees can usually fight off fungal infections by “walling off” the damage. In your case the roots may have been damaged by construction or by a lawnmower. Once a fungus breaches a tree’s defenses it feeds on the interior wood and eventually sends out mushrooms. You need the services of a certified arborist to evaluate the health and stability of the tree. Contact a professional at www.georgiaarborist.org.