Defoliation involves cutting all or a significant part of the leaves of a tree during the summer. In doing so you force the tree to grow new leaves, leading to a reduction in the size of the leaves and an increase in ramification.
This technique should only be used on deciduous trees healthy enough to withstand this demanding
technique.
When? For most species of trees June is the best month to defoliate, leaving enough time to grow
new leaves and prepare for the winter season. The exact moment depends on the tree; defoliate after the new spring growth has hardened off.
Which trees? Most deciduous trees can be defoliated, but be sure to check this as some trees will not react well to this technique. Do not defoliate weak trees (due to recent repotting, pruning or disease) or trees that are still in training.
How? Cut the leaves using a twig shears, leaving the leaf-stalk intact (see photo 1).
Defoliation can also be used to reduce growth in specific parts of the tree; you might for example defoliate the top part of the tree while leaving the bottom part as it is, in doing so you restore the balance in the tree.
And then? Aftercare
After defoliating a tree place it in the shadow and let it recover until it has grown new leaves, which will take about a month.
