GrimLore
Bonsai Nut alumnus... we miss you
I waited to chop until there were some leaves on them, but it's probably still not an ideal time to strike cuttings.
Keep them damp with moderate light and you will be surprised. I take cuttings from those any time and they take. I also make sure not to move them at all including no exposure to wind. Seems where I live they just plain take from end of Winter until early Spring when cut. Here is one I cut while the tree was still dormant just pushing bud a few weeks ago. It is now tossing leaf and I expect it to be root bound by the end of Summer.
Nice one's there and I am pretty certain they will do much better in your care including the roots!
Grimmy