Looks like the answer is yes, so I'll post the results in my privet thread!

Wow do those things grow fast! For those of you with privet experience, I have to ask: Do you defoliate your privet? Especially for those of you whose privets are deciduous. I find it's quite difficult to wire and style with the leaves on, and just don't know if I should defoliate the tree.

Thanks for any help!

Yes, I typically defoliate a couple times a year, and in my area privet is evergreen.  You get a lot of advantages by doing this.  As you noted, it's tough to wire and style with all those leaves, and you get a nice flush of fresh, smaller leaves when you defoliate.

You'd be hard-pressed to hurt privet, so defoliate to your heart's content!

Zach

Just be sure you root-prune annually.  One thing that will ultimately get privet is if you let it get too rootbound.  It then dries out very fast and has trouble keeping itself fed.  They tend to decline unless rootpruned frequently.

Zach

I think having privet root bound is a thin line to walk. On the positive side, it slows the plant down a bit so the twigginess produced is not as coarse (when you are refining a tree). On the other hand, if you are careless repotting a VERY root-bound tree, and cut off tons of fine roots, you are almost certain to loose some weak branches. Please bear in mind I work privet on a tropical climate... but if it´s healthy we can defoliate 3-5 times a year. Actually, in my place fire ants do it all time when you are not looking  Good luck with your tree!
 
Best regards,

Juan