hazel wattle

I'm wanting to coppice one of the hazel stools here to use for some wattle and daub walls.  I believe that winter is the time for coppice, but I won't be able to build the walls until later in the year.

will the hazel wood still be flexible enough a few months down the line if I cut it down now?  should I split it now?  should I leave it whole?  would soaking it in water make it flexible again when it comes time to build?  tell me what you know.