I believe it's a Podocarpus (aka Buddhist pine, Yew pine, or Fern pine). But either it's a type I'm not familiar with (not difficult!), or it's unhappy, or maybe both.

Mine are Podocarpus macrophyllus 'Maki' -- a common variety (if not the most common). Opinions on their cold-hardiness vary, but mine are happy growing next to the house in zone 7a (and survived our recent 6b winter). So I hope you're not trying to grow yours in Michigan or South Dakota or someplace with really cold winters.

I don't think sun should bother it -- but yours is being grown in a pot....

You could post your questions on care on the Trees or Conifers forums ... or if you're in California or Florida, try the forums for those states ... or even the Container forum.

I'm in San Francisco. Thank you! I think it just needed more water. It's been getting a lot of sun. Should I trim the branches that are growing at the base of it? Thanks again.

It's up to you whether or not to trim it. Certainly you should consider whether you'll be growing it in the pot or in the ground, inside or outside, etc.

I happened to grow up with some Podocarpus maki in Fremont when I was a kid many long years ago, and now that I'm in a climate where they'll grow, I have a couple of Podocarpus of my own. But I don't know anywhere near as much as the folks on the Conifers and Trees forums -- and I don't know anything about growing Podocarpus in pots -- and they will give you much better advice than I can.