My privet was bought for me last summer as a gift and I kept it as an indoor plant ( it was the vendors suggestion) throughout the harsh winter and most of the spring. When this years spring started warming up, I realised the leaves started failing until the tree was bare.

After reading more about bonsai, I realised the tree should be kept outdoors in the shade and requires the winter weather as a rest period.

My tree is now bare, but the trunk is still green under the bark. It's sitting north-west on my window sill where it's exposed to a few hours of full sunlight, but most of the day in the shade.

*My question: Is this tree dead? If not, how long should I wait to see signs of improvement?

Any help appreciated, thank you.
J