Is the tree you are considering pot-grown or B&B or what? A 10' tall Southern Magnolia should have a pretty big rootball. How large is the rootball on the one you are considering? Do you have the ability to handle a rootball that large? As j0nd03 said, now is not the best time to plant a tree, but the odds of it surviving depends on many things including its current condition and how it's treated during and after planting. Planting it now is not the killer, but what it's gone through so far and what you have to do to it (especially root system preparation) when planting it can be. If your tree is pot-grown, be aware that it may require extensive root pruning to straighten out the pot-bound root system (a death sentence this time of year). If it were me, I'd wait until fall to plant it. That should be the optimal time in your area, and it will make the work much easier (because it will be cooler). I'd also probably consider starting with a little smaller tree, which could establish more quickly and grow faster, if I was going to be doing the planting by myself. The link below may have some additional useful info for you. Here is a link that might be useful: Planting a Tree or Shrub

Here's the thing Keith. Most of the Grandiflora cultivars I have seem to deal with even the heavy wet snow loads--even those with characteristically broad leaves (aligned horizontally or even descending). I only had issues with one cultivar of moderate leaf size whose leaves where oriented much more vertically. I think it's the Teddy bear variety (has a rich cinnamon colored bottom). The snow just accumulated and was caught up in pockets that did not permit it to shed the weight of the snow so that eventually the branches would snap off. I had no problems with any of the following cultivars: Majestic Beauty, Edith Bogue, Little Gem, Green Giant or Victoria. It's an interesting question for further research. Even though these trees need not be adapted for heavy snow loads, I would think that they do have the issue with potential damage from freezing rain and ice storms (which are actually relatively rare here compared to heavy WET snow concerns). Thanks for the thoughtful response. PS. Latest weather woes have nothing to do with snow or ice, currently experiencing torrential rains and gale force winds.

Yep, the minute you leave the northeast megalopolis, i.e., drive south of DC, the prices drop. Also the selection goes way up at the more "serious" places, like Colesville or Big Bloomers. (or more obviously the storied mail order nurseries of Woodlanders, Camellia Forest, and, yes, Plant Delights...although I only buy from them as a last resort and many of their older classics are 1/2 price at Big Bloomers. I've had just enough negative experiences with them to make me wary.)

Late Summer? I am not sure why it is that late in the season. Mine tend to bloom from June through July and linger into August. Not sure if it the particular cultivar or site, but I get the most impressive blooms on the Majestic Beauty, then the Victoria, Edith Bogue seems a bit shy. I think my Teddy Bear (or Alta..., not sure which it is, need to post of pic for identification), is more August blooming. Then there is the Little Gem which blooms from early June and well into October