Well, small ones can be mail ordered for $50 +s&h so it depends. The shape of the roots, age of your friend, his money status and patiience all come into play. Smaller plants tend to adapt quicker.

tj

Any tree potted like that is prb'ly going to be root-bound.

whatever the decision ... it probably shouldnt be planted until the next proper planting season ... fall or winter.... see section 1 at link below ...

one of the few things that will insure a hot miserable august.. would be planting it after some root surgery .... in the heat of summer ...

ken

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub

Neighbor's tree, I think it will become unsightly they will cut it down.

Below my tree doing the same thing. I cut the brown out but two branches too high to reach. My concern is that we have seen this movie before with Leyland cypress, Giant Sequoia, Port Orford Cedar etc, etc, etc. I told my friend to pass.