I've tried planting one in June and it didn't go well. I would imagine if it's hardened off and used to the heat, it might be ok with shade, but I wouldn't risk it if you can keep it in a cooler and shaded spot until fall.

You can plant a container tree anytime. But it is the second hardest time to plant a tree right now (last month was the hardest). Second because the increased humidity is liked by plants. I am also assuming you live in the low desert. And that you know how to plant a tree from a container.

If you do plant now you will have to work a lot harder to keep it alive than if you planted it in October. You would likely get little above ground growth, but the roots might establish some. On the other hand you do need to pay attention to watering containers twice as frequently as you normally do trees (unless they are newly planted) and keep them from getting too hot.

If you do plant it now, make sure to frequently water in the immediate area a couple of feet down the next couple of months to keep those roots damp and able to grow out. You should start to water a bit further out from the canopy every two weeks to encourage root growth until around week 8. If growth is still minimal keep it around the canopy line until growth starts.

Heavy organic mulch out to four feet to cut down on root zone temp and cut evap. May want to put western shade on the tree through Sept. or until the low starts to average significantly below 85F.

Here is a link that might be useful: see newly planted desert tree and think 2x as freq

This post was edited by Fascist_Nation on Fri, Jul 11, 14 at 16:23

I think I would just wait the 3 months. Sometimes it's hard enough to get stuff to grow around here without extra challenges.

I'm with the others--I'd just wait. I really don't plant much at all in the ground in June/July/August, even true desert lovers. If your'e a gambler though, you can give it a try with a container grown plant that's been growing long term in sun.

Let us know what you do and how it works out.
Happy gardening!
Grant