Question
I live in Jefferson City, MO (central MO)  I just received a burnt rose tree.  When do I plant it, fall or wait until spring?

Answer
I am assuming from your description of the rose tree that the leaves are burnt? Please correct me if I am wrong. If the rose is in a pot then you can plant it anytime you want to. However if it is going to be planted in full sun and your weather is hot, I would wait until it cools off as high temperatures put a rose into stress. When a rose goes into stress the roots tend to slow down. In your area you can plant it in the fall and then it will be ready to start new growth on the roots that have become established in the late fall and early spring.