Ive removed some of my fan leafs as well. I do have a question though. I've seen the pictures posted in this thread where a person has done some defoliant method. What are the leafs called that are right around the actual bud sites? They look like fan leafs some what but their not as big as a normal fan leaf. I'm seeing that people are leaving all those leafs on that are around the bud/flowering sites. So I'm guessing those leafs around the bud sites aren't considered fan leafs as well? Thanks for the help in advance!