In an attempt to resurrect the this thread, does anyone else have any input on this topic? Repotting a nursery Hinoki later today and may try bare rooting.
Mine is not a Hinoki Cypress but a Cupressocyparis Leylandii which I think both belong to the same family Cupressaceae. C. L is a hybrid between Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and the Nootka Cypress (Cupressus nootkatensis).
As I said not the same tree but it might give you some clues.
A tall nursery tree for landscape use it was neglected into the same plastic pot for too loooong. Drainage was very very poor. I cannot say about its age but diameter of trunk at its base was 5-6cm.
At first intervention
last August 2018 I removed about 1,20 - 1,40 m. from its height and I fed it heavily. And then during past February 2019 I removed again part of its height so now it measures about 1m. from soil.
The first repotting was made 04 March. The soil was heavy, clay-like. I cleaned as much as I could around the base. I removed about 6-7cm off the pivot root. Healthy rootlets mainly high on the substrate. I did not used a hose but I worked with my hands, chopstics and root hook & rake. In the next transplant after two years, all the remaining soil should be rinsed well, though.
The tree was put under shade cloth but remained at the terrace of building (where it has been since bought) and reacted very very well. After 20 days the shade cloth was removed and the tree receives full sun all day long. Lots of new growth.
I guess the above are probably irrelevant to your question but I thought I might share for possible help...