I am a convert. I used to be a stark opponent of cutting or topping(still am with the topping for the most part, though recently I have seen some encouraging things) or defoliating of any kind. But I have since come around and think that in certain cases these things are beneficial. This is one of them. With such healthy, lush, dense green foliage I believe you can take selected dan leaves off and not see any ill effect with there actually being a pretty great net-positive in the fact that the lower sites are now getting more light