Help with mini tree

[AMKuska]

Over Christmas we received a gift of a minature tree from my husband's company. Unfortunately all our best efforts at caring for it just seem to make it worse. We put it outside to get some sunlight, which it liked even less than being indoors, it doesn't like cold weather AT ALL (lost most of its leaves to that) It started coming back and then is dying again.

What on earth do we do for it?

 

[thistlebloom]

To start with, what kind of tree is it?

 

[LocoYokel]

To start with, what kind of tree is it?

... and what size of pot is that? If you could post some more pics of it from different angles (any excuse for more pics, LoL) that might help too. Poor lil' thing

 

[Nyboy]

Some holiday plants are not meant to live long after the holiday

 

[AMKuska]

I'll get more pics today. It isn't a holiday plant. I asked my husband and he doesn't know the variety, it is just a bonsai tree. I asked him if the container was too small he says it is a bonsai tree and supposed to be in a small container. It is a tiny container though.

 

[thistlebloom]

Bonsai trees can be anything, azaleas to maples to junipers to pines...bonsai is the term for the art form of making a plant look ancient and full of character. They can be tricky to care for because
they have a very limited root system.

 

[AMKuska]

Here are a couple more photos. I think it might be the container is too small as the roots seem to be sticking up out of the soil.

 

[Nyboy]

Unless it is a zombie tree I would toss it.

 

[AMKuska]

I know there is no real hope for it as there are just a couple green branches and 1-2 green leaves left, but I still want to try and save it. It has some sentimental value.

 

[Nyboy]

Trim away all the dead branches is a start.