I've only read about 'girdling' to kill-off pine trees. I have 5 pine trees that are close to the house and growing roots under the house ... and I'd rather be rid of them. Three of them are quite large are are about 26" diameter around the bark just above ground. While pine is not my favorite to work with: I expect that the trunks will yield some very clear cuts for the 1st 12' that could be used for a variety of table-tops and should not be passed-up. At this time I am considering to have the branches removed and the canopies 'topped' ... the trunks girdled ... and let them dry-in-place for about 4 months before taking them down ... and wondering what I'll have at that time. I don't expect to have fully-dried ready-to-use material; however, whatever reduction in weight by then would be wholly welcome to improve the 'handling' characterisitics.
TIA for any any advice and shared experience.