Who says you cannot defoliate a Pine tree? Peter Tea has an article titled “Bonsai Experiment” where he totally defoliates a pine tree. The article has very good photos and it is a very interesting subject. I think I would give it a try perhaps on a nursery tree first, but then again, why not go for the gusto and try it on a good tree?  I have added the article to the Pines Bonsai page, under Conifers and Bonsai Tree Information page.

Photo courtesy of Peter Tea.