I can tell you...that tree is deader than a doornail now. I would eat my hat if it came back after that "pruning".
youd be suprised at how much pruning a bush or tree can take.
we had one that shadowed all the plants. it started out a branch here, a branch there and before we new it, it was nothing but a foot tall, but it came back and is quite a happy tree now:)