meh. leaves power growth. removing them is a big "if" as to how much it helps.
i purposely left leaves covering buds on last grow. it made virtually no difference. the strongest correlation is how high it is on the plant... which relates to how apical dominance works. light hitting leaves is the goal, not bud sites. very little chlorophyl in stems and flower compared to leaves... WAY less. so much less it's retarded to think light hitting buds is important.