Dutch scientists have discovered that a certain fungus protects wood from rotting if the wood is coated with olive oil.
Editor’s Notes: I always read through these “studies” with reservations. Linseed oil was a main ingredient in outside coatings (marine, deck, fence, siding, etc. ) for centuries (the “oil” in many oil-based coatings). For 20+ years I’ve been using these water-based coatings on my WR Cedar siding on house and they seem to protect the siding well. The decks – not so well…but I’m no expert in this stuff.