How do i keep a potted christmas tree alive?

Last christmas i got one of the standard living xmas trees in a pot (about 2ft-3ft, can't remember the exact type). We left it outside since then (didn't really think about it at the time) and only just realised now we still have it. It's looking pretty dried out - i'm guessing especially since spring has been so hot - and quite of few of its leaves have fallen off. I'm really no expert when it comes to gardening so i was wondering if there's any way i can try and salvage it?|||Evergreens that have lost most of their needles, and have either turned brown, or shed them, are goners.|||It should have been planted as soon as the soil was workable.|||Nope.