Pruning a cleyera

Question

Your article says to prune a cleyera as follows: Instead of shortening the stems, cut them all the way back to the center of the plant. Shortening a stem encourages two new side branches to grow where you made the cut.

Admittedly, I have no idea what it means to cut it all the way back to the center of the plant. Certainly, you do not cut the branches to the center of the plant do you? Could you explain, please?

Answer 1

I think the article is saying that, if you want to remove a branch, you should cut that branch back to where it joins the next larger branch (the branch it is growing out from) or where it joins the main trunk.

On the other hand, if you want to make the plant bushier in that area, you can prune a branch part of the way back- that will cause two smaller branches to grow from just behind where you cut it.