Prune to outside bud so plant will grow in that direction. Most tolerate severe pruning and are fast growers that fill in space quickly. Azaleas and boxwoods do NOT tolerate hard pruning because they are slow growers. Use thinning cuts on evergreens to let air and light in or they will be susceptible to scale and aphid attack. Look at the natural habit or growth of a tree or shrub before you prune it.
All shoots grow outward from their tips.
When tips are removed, the buds directly below the pruned part will grow. A properly pruned tree or shrub will retain its natural shape and not look like it's been given a flat-top cut. Remove dead, dying, damaged or unsightly parts of trees, sprouts growing at or near the base of trunks, suckers, crossed branches and V-shaped crotches. If there's no green tissue, it's dead wood and should be removed. When pruning dead or diseased wood, disinfect tools between each cut with products such as Lysol, Listerine or rubbing alcohol.