In the summer bark peels easily off of fresh cut white wood like hickory and maple. Is it to early in the year to expect this if I cut some this week?

No.  They will peel really nice I bet.

Now is a perfect time.

You guys are'nt kidding about peeling right off.  I cut some hackberry and osage tonight...amazing how that bark just peels like a banana.  

One question for you guys if you dont mind.  The osage bark just peeled right off (but I know how that sapwood checks)...I put a coat of poly on the sapwood right after...was that the right move, or should I have left the bark on and treated it with insecticide.  

Also, I have a wild cherry log...what is my best bet for preparing those staves....bark on or off?

Thanks

Add more poly to the back of the osage if it were fresh cut. You want the back to be completely sealed so the moisture escapes from the belly side. Let the woos dry slow for a while before you mess with it anymore.
 I treat cherry just like whitewoods; just peel the bark and that's the back.

How do you guys feel about cutting the white woods that you dont plan on chasing a ring for the back, durring the growing season as it pertains to the ring directly under the bark not being fully grown?