I feel like the leaves are the solar panels of the plant and are a source of energy. However as they get bigger and older, they tend to be an energy sink. I generally won’t pull any leaves that are green and healthy.
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I’m relatively new to growing, but in my couple grows so far I’ve been moving closer and closer to this style of defoliation, and getting better results each time. When my plants look like that I know I’m getting big solid buds down to the bottom.
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I think we all have opinions on this on both side of the fence but I can tell you that I would recommend exactly what @wny61 is doing.
Test test test to see what works for you… 
If you want to save yourself some time and watch a video on a testing this out check this out.
Edit: I am a defoliater… More so indoor than outdoor depending on how LST goes…
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Great advice. That’s why you see the variation on my plants node to node, leaf to leaf, shape to shape. I’m constantly messing around seeing what works for this, for that and at the same time hunting those absolute gems. IMO growing is like being a mad scientist. Concocting all sorts of cool things to better our finished product. I remember when I first found Schwaggy P . I idolized the guy because of his process, thoroughness and absolutely stellar product EVERY SINGLE TIME! Imo he’s one of the most underrated breeders out there. He truly is the mad scientist of cannabis
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100% love defoliation. 1 its a great experience with your plants to just sit there with some music on and give your plant a haircut. 2 I feel like it helps rejuvenate the plant and stimulates growth. I’ve done both ways in which I’ve let it grow wild and defoliate. Always seems like the plant responds very well once its done. Don’t be afraid either. I’ve gone pretty aggressive and have also done very minimal. Mr. Miyagi those girls and see the picture in your head and do! 
just my thoughts on the subject! Hope everyone is having a fantastic Saturday!
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The idea that “they do it in the wild for a reason” doesn’t match up with our goals, vs a plant’s goal in the wild. In the wild, its goal is to survive and reproduce. Giant yield, terpenes, super frost contribute little if anything toward that goal. So what we are doing is forcing the plants to do things that fit our goal more than its own goal I think.
Whether trimming fan leaves helps or not is separate from that, and I would trim a few leaves here and there strategically.
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A bit of reading, but It is good stuff IMHO
I defoliate SCROG and SOG but never outdoors.
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I only trim down low where there is little or no light penetration. Always remember fan leaves (photosynthesis) grows buds. Fan leaves that cover buds are totally welcome in my room if only for the amount of square inches of green space they give.
Be judicious when you trim. More is NOT better
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Yeah, not really a believer in defoliation, removing lower flower sites, sure.
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