AusBonsai

This was the first tree I collected around two and a bit years ago. What do people think? I defoliated about 5 weeks ago and I'm thinking maybe I should do it again but not sure. Just gave it a hair cut this morning.

Great bark, good taper so you are on your way to a good alround tree. If I may suggest, and couple more branches would be a benefit as in my opinion the canopy needs some extension, a bit more volumne.

Not sure about another defoliation..

Totally agree that a few more branches wouldn't go astray..

Cannot give any advise as to whether said new branches would backbud on that FANTASTIC bark!
Would seem like a tough ask..

Unfortunately I only have juvenile ash experience and cannot offer advise off the top of my head.

If Ash don't backbud on such hard bark then you might consider some grafting options..

Ash back bud really well it's just a waiting game to get one in the right place. Boics grant Bowie defoliates ash 3 times in a season just got to work out if I got the guts to do it

G'day Goff.

As far as the defoliation goes my question would be - why?
Rather than chopping leave tips off I actually think this one could benefit from being a little bushier.

Will Ash readily backbud on that bark?

The have no problems back budding on the that bark. That's why I would try defoliating again.