If there's green under the bark, your tree is alive, otherwise it isn't. Podocarpus needs relatively cool conditions (should live outdoors year round in your zone) and to be able to get fairly dry between waterings... does this match up with your care?

Can someone tell me how to post a picture, so I can show what the actual trunk looks like?

Thanks,
Karin

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Thank you Lucy. I added the picture to the photogallery, under container plants. I forgot to add the board's name, but obviously it is under my user name, "akarinz". I appreciate any feedback.

Thanks again!
Karin

Hi, unless there is green under the bark higher up after you make a scratch (what's already de-barked is not going to tell you anything) but I have a feeling it's long gone. When bark comes off by itself (and it's not because it naturally flakes/peels by nature when otherwise healthy) plants are usually dead.