yeah the plant does need them. but not all of them. the leaves are used for photosynthesis..
how many leaves are on a big plant? loads....
leaves grow all the way up main colas and off branches. they can survive from losing a few. if they were in the wild, animmals / weather etc could of destroyed them.
my tip is, if u cant tuck, cut. so if u cant 'hide' tuck the leaves away then cut them. the more light that gets to ur bud the better.
i have trimmed all the fan leaves off my 2 plants. it still has healthy little leaves coming from the bud sites.