Help needed calling tree experts - unnamed Christmas tree

[MsPontipine]

Hi - I am needing a bit of help with this tree - this is my first link to photos so please bear with me.

pic1 pic2 pic3

This Christmas tree (I don't know its official name) was a gift from Santa a few years ago - as you can see it's not looking its best. It looks a bit dead but for the last 2 springs it has loyally sprouted these new bright green bits on the end of very dead looking branches. What have I done wrong? What is it? Is there any way to rescue it. In spring the bright green bits branch out from the previous year's growth so it is starting to look pretty pityful - but if it's green and shooting it's alive isn't it?? There's hope isn't it? It is a special tree and I would love to see it in its full glory.

Gardening novice but slowly learning!

Many thanks

BUMPITY BUMP!

Please!

One final desperate bump.....

Can't tell from the pics exactly what sort it is...are the needles soft or spiky?
Dh reckons that the best thing to do would be plant it into the ground. It is probably not doing well because it is in a container.
Is it root bound? Is that the pot it came in? What sort of compost is it in?

Thanks 4 your reply. The needles are soft - almost strokabely! I daren't plant it in the ground as I'm renting. Possibly is root-bound it's been in the same pot for ages - not the one it came in but I suppose it's not much bigger. It would be probably be in supermarket spesh multipurpose compost.

I'm beginning to realise I have been really neglecting it and many other of my plants. I just hope it's not too late.