Before we had a softener and I was told not to use softened water. Yes, city water is fine. We have ours tested periodically and it is fine. You have to watch out for softened water which depending on the process will raise your soluable salts in your soil. Raspberry bushes are usually planted from bareroot or container grown plants.
Spring is best time to plant, when it is cool and moist.
I planted a pin oak and it is taking forever. After that I would suggest a norway maple. Avoid silver maple, they are short lived. Pin oak take 5 years to get started or so. Red oak or swamp white oak are better.