That technique was used back in settling this continent, probably other places as well. Ring barking the tree cuts off sap and nutrients to everything above, tree dies and in a year or two, removal is easier.
I even saw it done in my small town. One old curmudgeon had a thing about raking maple leaves. Ringed several big old maples lining the street. Got in a big mess over it. Experts tried pencil grafts to save the trees but they didn't work.
Harry K