Hello
Recently was given a Bonsai for xmas, not sure what species but believe its a Chinese elm
As you can see from the pictures its not looking to great

Up until a few weeks ago the tree had plenty of green shoots and leaves
Then in last few weeks the shoots have died and leaves turned brown and crispy

Tree lives in a South facing sunny window and is watered as per when soil is dry on top

I just want to know if the tree is still alive or is it beyond saving
I checked my making a little cut into the trunk and am still none the wiser

Hackbread1239 wrote: Hello
Recently was given a Bonsai for xmas, not sure what species but believe its a Chinese elm
As you can see from the pictures its not looking to great

Up until a few weeks ago the tree had plenty of green shoots and leaves
Then in last few weeks the shoots have died and leaves turned brown and crispy

Tree lives in a South facing sunny window and is watered as per when soil is dry on top

I just want to know if the tree is still alive or is it beyond saving
I checked my making a little cut into the trunk and am still none the wiser

Also forgot to mention that it only looks so trimmed back as a friend recommended I cut off the dead shoots and now it looks super bare

If you live in the northern hemisphere and temps are between 5 and 25 C in your location at this time of the year, place it outside where it can get plenty of light and hope for the best.

Despite what a lot of sellers keep saying, that tree belongs outdoor.

I'm not convinced it is a chinese elm... the leaves, that are still alive look like those of a privet... maybe compare your tree with a privet. in the species guide.. or other pictures.. the bard also doesn't look like a chinese elm.

I think I concur, not Chinese Elm, but either dead or close.

If it is close to dying what can I do to save it? If it is a privet.
All the shoots and leaves turned brown and brittle and started falling off.
Can it be saved or how can I check its alive? I cut the bark and its hard to tell. Scared of damaging it more

The only thing you can do is place it outside ( where it should have been from the beginning) if it is not freezing in your part of the world. Check if there is a hole in that pot ( if not water stays on the bottom of the pot thus causing roots to die). Water only if needed. Do not do anything else, no cutting, no fertiliser, nada.

If there isn't s hole in the bottom of the pot, put it in a realm pot but don't mess with the roots. Just pull the root ball out,, put it in a good pot of same size ot slightly larger, and fill in the edges with bonsai mix or potting soil. Don't water for a while.