The Mast is Un-Stepped

Having been AWOL for some time, life gets in the way at times. After all the bad weather that we have had the yard were finally able to un-step the mast and I can give it some TLC. 

How does a mast get so green?  I am not going to mention the amount of guano at the top! 

The difference between the port and starboard spreaders show how green it had become.  I'll need to give it a few more goes with soap, water and a stiff brush.