Autumn is probably the best time to plant a tree. You should plant a month before ground freezes, so it has time to grow roots before winter. Its OK if you plant a little later than that, your tree will be fine until spring. Make sure to mulch well, and that it's new location is not exposed to cold winter winds, or you could get significant die-back.

Thank you spaceman, I appreciate the info.

You don't need to move it. Beni Kawa and all the various coral bark JM's can grow very happily in full sun in the PNW. The crispiness you see is likely due to insufficient watering rather than excess sun. For a newly planted JM, deep soakings at least once a week during our dry summer months is advised, perhaps more often if the temps are abnormally high.

You should know that the bark color on these types of maples fades in summer to more of a greenish gray. It is in colder, winter weather that the bark resumes its deep red coloring. You should also know that the older wood tends to hold minimal red/coral coloring even in winter, so expect the trunk to fade in a year or so and NOT turn red in winter. The newest stems and twigs will always have the most intense coloring and even that mostly restricted to winter. And you will get the best coloring the better the sun exposure.

Great info gardengal, thank you! That is definitely good for future use. I do like the spot it's in, since I can enjoy it from my back door. And my husband will be glad to not have to dig it out.