Can I plant an Eastern Redbud at 6p.m in late May? Zone 5, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Best to plant bare root, when they get them in at stores or nurseries.

Lakehouse - evening is a great time to plant as long as you water well. Gives the tree a little bit of a breather from stress before facing the sun.

I disagree about bare root being better. I have read that damaged roots make it more vulnerable to disease, I would use a ported or balled one if available.

It would make sense that balled/potted would be better for spring planting. Less work for the roots to do to acclimate before facing the summer heat. As long as the roots don't require too much remediation before planting.

Thanks everyone!

Bare root or balled, the key to a new planting is water, water, water. I have found that even in the wet Pacific NW, I really need to water new plantings often for the first 2 seasons. Hard for me to remember at times, and I've lost plants because of it.