Nursery Hinoki cypress "fern spray gold"

[Mikea454]

chamaecyparis obtusa 'fernspray gold'
Found this one today, Got it for half price, the whole batch was a little beat up but looks recoverable. The soil is dramatically root bound and the pot is super light - suspect underwatered and too root bound to have any spil hold the rain water. Fine roots everywhere, can't even get a chopstick in the soil.
How much root trimming can I do this time of year?
Can I rake out the top and cut the bottom third off and plant back in some fresh soil?
Can I also cop a top leader or two, this is a little.twll for me to keep?

Pics of tree, trunk, foliage, and soil.

Thank you, appreciate any tips on how to turn this guy around and start bonsai training.

 

[TrimmyWhimmy]

I haven't root pruned mine yet, so can't advise on that. ...Likely sensitive like other Hinokis. I can tell you that they don't like a lot of sun though. That is likely what caused the browning. You can't let them dry out either of they will die.

 

[Mikea454]

i might still do a half soil repot and cut the top leader, unless anyone strongly recommends it.