Stonington — The massive, dying elm tree slated to be cut down in Mystic may soon get a new life as a bench or piece of furniture.

On Wednesday, the Board of Selectmen offered its support to a proposal by Jennifer Lacker, a local antique furniture restorer, to find a use for the wood.

After Eversource cuts down the tree, the wood will be hauled to the Coogan Farm Nature & Heritage Center, where it will dry for about six months.

Lacker said that will give her time to find a project for the wood.

She told selectmen about the work of City Bench, a Higganum-based firm that turns historical trees into furniture “that tells their stories,” according to the firm.

The firm has made benches, tables and counters locally for Mystic Seaport and Connecticut College and has done pieces for Yale University, the Mark Twain house and Newman’s Own.

“Let’s just give it another life,” Lacker told selectmen about the tree.

First Selectman Rob Simmons said Eversource is paying to cut down the tree, and the town is not looking to sell the wood. He said town Tree Warden Dan Oliverio will assist Lacker with finding a new use for the tree on his own time.

“We’re trying to be more creative than just throwing it in the dump or grinding it up,” he said.

The tree, which is located in a triangular traffic island at Broadway and Willow Street, is being removed because it is dying and poses a hazard. In addition, Simmons said Eversource would like it taken down because its large branches loom over power lines.

Oliverio, who also serves as vice chairman of the town’s Beautification Committee, has said he plans to propose to the Board of Selectmen that a new tree be planted there and the mulch be replaced with grass. He said he is researching the appropriate type of tree to plant and said any new tree would be maintained to avoid future problems with power lines.

“Thanks for taking this dying tree and giving it new life,” Simmons told Lacker. “People love this tree.”

j.wojtas@theday.com