I beg to differ. I mount tropical plants on 8-10 woods, both hardwood and softwood. Nothing is used that is younger than 25 year old wood and I have documented wood that is well over 100 years old. Needless to say, much of these woods are infested with all kinds of mold, fungi, and algae. Unless the wood is completely rotten, and I mean all they way through, this outdoor bleach solution will kill it. I don't have scientific proof, only have what my eyes tell me. For me, if the wood looks like only the surface is affected, and the "heart" of the wood is solid, I treat the wood with the bleach solution. Anyone who handles old wood can tell whether the wood is a goner, rotted through and through. Most of the mounts that I use are now three or more years old, and (like Obama says) there's not a smidgen of pest/growth on these woods. The one thing I never treat my wood for is lichen. I love to get and use lichen-laden wood.
I cannot tell the depth of infestation this wood has. The picture we have been given is not going to tell the depth of fungi penetration. I say, give it a try if Susan wants to try to save the table.
