I don't know about your neck of the woods, but the sap is going down(therefore in the trunk wood) in my area, and this is NOT a good time to cut.... might be fine further south, I'm in ontario. further into the fall would be better(the sap should be down to the roots) if that helps answer your question. Our best times are from nov-march and then july/aug
Have you felled a tree or two to see if the sap is gushing????