I would have completely defoliated it and cut it back hard, personally. I've had pretty good success this time of year with full defoliation and potting in near 100% inorganic soil, placed in filtered sun.
The tree's roots were significantly reduced. It does not have enough to push water all the way up to the canopy and those taller trunks. All those leaves do (did) was increase the rate of water loss from the tree.
This is a classic case of how important locality is to collection. In the deep south, by the time mid April rolls around, the new Spring foliage has already hardened off and helped rebuild energy lost from the initial flush. You can fully defoliate and the tree will only put out as much new foliage as it can with its reduced root system (and it has the energy to do so).
I collected 38 trees in late February (this is the ideal time) and 36 made it. I collected 5 in late March (none made it). I collected 8 in late April and 7 made it and are growing vigorously.