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• n  the loss of foliage
• n  causing the leaves of trees and other plants to fall off (as by the use of chemicals)

• Complete defoliation could also cause laterization, the destructive process that occurs in some tropical soils when removal of vegetation exposes them to erosion and sunlight.
• In fact, the project is cultural defoliation--an attempt to destroy "liberal" habitat.
• While the noisy conflict in Cambodia has seized the headlines, the quiet defoliation of South Viet Nam has become the focus of well-informed outrage.

News & Articles

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• Damage to oaks, firs in Willamette Valley caused by native moth
  Conspicuous damage and defoliation to oak and fir trees in the Willamette Valley is grabbing the attention of many landowners.
  Aug. 7, 2013 - Salem Statesman Journal
• NJ gypsy moth populations on the rise
  TRENTON — This summer’s annual New Jersey Department of Agriculture statewide gypsy moth aerial defoliation survey showed 2,887 acres of trees in 51 municipalities in 17 counties received moderate to severe damage this year from the leaf-eating invasive pests.
  Aug. 7, 2013 - The Advertiser-News

Quotes

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• Robert Doyle in Reuters
  Our parks staff have indicated a number of trees are defoliating and canopies are thinning. Once defoliation takes place it is very hard to save the tree,said Doyle.
• David Foster in Martha's Vineyard Gazette
  One of the interesting things about any type of major natural disturbance - fires, hurricanes or in this case insect defoliation and mortality - is despite the fact that it looks catastrophic, so much of the forest is still intact,said David...
• Mark Spencer in Western Farm Press
  We're more concerned now with the condition of the trees and setting next year's crop,Spencer explained. "The next step beyond (leaf) defoliation is the potential damage to the wood at the small to medium branch level. The longer the...