AusBonsai

Trees that were cut back or defoliated recently are still growing strong.

I have experienced this here. Trees in the growing beds were trimmed quite late - (April?). The resulting new growth kept leaves on all winter but spring growth was no different to usual so I don't think 'weak buds' will be a problem.

However I do not think this applies to removing sacrifice branches. Just removing 1 low branch makes very little difference to the growth on the rest of the tree.

I do have one that I can cut back to see how it reacts in my conditions."

Always worth trying something to see what results in your climate under your conditions.