pruning Melaleuca?

Can anyone help me?  I have 2 Malaleuca Nesophilia & my husband is strongly
against cutting things that are green hence there are huge arguments over
pruning.  I have had a back injury for some time & could not do it myself.
I have only just had a 2 level spinal fusion so can not do it myself - I
finally got him to cut it back sides & top.  I got out next day & despite
not being allowed to do gardening I cut back what I could reach - virtually
removed all green to what I could reach & cut away all the dead wood &
twigs.  I figured the branches I could not reach on top could stay until the
bottom sprouted.  I thought the trees may be "stressed with their first
decent hair cut so applied " Super thrive - 10 drops (a USA product) & half
bucket of cow manure mixed with water & watered all in well.  It is 4 days
after the assault & some of the old & new leaves on the top are showing a
white "blanching" at the base of the leaf & some have a black spot.  I have
felt sorry for it & given it plenty of water.  It is Autumn so there has
been some rain.  Temp at night 10 - 17 degrees Celsius & day - 22 - 28 C.
Have I give it too much "TLC".  The bottom branches are not sprouting as I
hoped but there is new growth on the top.  Should I cut some of the top
"rangy" branches to force growth further down?  Am I killing it with
kindness.  I want a thick hedge not a tall rangy tree with dead sticks in
the middle.
There have been just a couple green hopeful sprouts on a bottom branch.  Am
I panicking too early or have I damaged it????  I wan to train it into a
thick screening hedge.  Should I just go ahead & be ruthless with those top
branches I took pity on???

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards,
Chris.
Geraldton - Western Australia ( 500kms north of Perth).
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