Coppice timing for Black Locust

Hello all,

We are constructing a deer fence with black locust poles and hoping to complete as much as possible of the project this year.

I am aware that ideal timing for Coppicing most hard wood would be in late fall or early spring while they are dormant. We are in zone 5a in central NY state and many trees have just started to bud. Would coppicing now be too late?

Thanks for any advice or experience you might have to share.