Styrex Help ... Can it be defoliated like a Maple?

[WOOB]

I have an older styrex growing strong I have done a partial defoliation of the last 3 years but and not happy with the ramification. Was thinking of defoliating it like a maple thoughts or ideas? Thanks

 

[Dav4]

I love, love, love snowbells... one of my favorite landscape trees! I have only a little bit of experience with styrax bonsai, though. Knowing their growth habit, I would say you've done very well with the ramification of your tree... and I'd be reluctant to fully defoliate a mature bonsai like yours, as I think you might weaken it significantly.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

It’s a nice tree. I have never had one, but always admire them in the books. Do you have the old Bonsai Today Magazines? Several issues have short articles that suggest defoliation is ok. I probably wouldn’t do it, because in my experience, defoliating anything that isn’t a trident maple just weakens the tree. Looks like good winter pruning and summer pruning is a safer practice, but maybe a longer-run play.

From BT32 and BT43: