This picture shows the tree after the new shoot extensions have been cut back to a pair of leaves. This was generally carried out throughout the tree.

Once the shoots had been reduced down to a pair of leaves, then the process of defoliation started, removing each leaf but leaving the leaf stalk or petiole in place. We started at the crown of the tree, the most dominant area and worked down the tree.

These pictures show the tree at various stages during the defoliation process. Once the leaves have been removed it gives a good opportunity to carry out further refinement pruning, taking out shoots in congested areas and wiring new shoots and existing branches into position.