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Perhaps strips a spruce model, if so elated (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

defoliates

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'perhaps strips a spruce' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'model if so elated' is the wordplay.
'model' indicates an anagram (the solver must model the letters into a new form).
'if'+'so'+'elated'='ifsoelated'
'ifsoelated' anagrammed gives 'DEFOLIATES'.

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I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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