I took some cuttings off my in the ground tree back in December.  I tied rooting some of the cuttings right away and placed the rest in the refrigerator.  I would like to start rooting some of cuttings from the fridge soon.  The bottom cut on many of the cuttings is just below a node.  My question is am I better off rooting them with the bottom cut as is or should I trim off a thin sliver and produce a fresh cut.

From what I understand you want the callused end, a fresh end is more pron to rot.

if they have callous, i wouldn't shave'em off. if they are rotting... that would be a reason to give'em a cut.

My way of thinking...when you put flowers in a water jar, you give them a clean cut, so they may drink better.
With fig cuttings, I shave slices off the cut end until I see green cambium, then I give the bottom of the cutting a couple of scrapes, and I let the cutting sit in a water/clonex solution for a couple of hours before putting it into sphagnum. My theory is that a clean cut will expose clean, working fibers.
I've noticed that a ring of roots forms just inside the cambium, on the bottom of the cutting, not just on the sides of the cutting.
I've also noticed that the pith at the bottom feels harder, and doesn't recess or disintegrate.
Different varieties have different characteristics, but the symptoms of a cutting that won't drink properly (for me) seem to include a pith that cracks and separates, or feels overly spongy.

Of course, there are people that would purposefully smash the bottom of the cutting before sticking it!

Everything you've heard is true.  :)  Depends if you're using clonex or not.

These cuttings are from a tree that has to be 20 years old and is the only tree I have that is big enough to provide cuttings.  It tends to be an easy variety to propagate and I have been pretty successful with simply placing the cuttings directly in cell packs filled with potting mix and placing in humidity bin with a heating mat.  I have tried Dip N' Gro which may speed up the rooting process but is not necessary with this variety.

I may try a little experiment and fill a cell pack with freshly trimmed cuts and a cell pack with the existing 2 month old bottom cuts.

Bob-You say it depends on if I'm using Clonex.  Would you recommend a fresh cut or not with a rooting hormone?

Thanks for all the info.

fig cuttings do not need hormone. hormone is very tempting, however, most if not all, does not need the hormone. 

Hi,
If the ends look good don't cut.
From now on, we are in North hemisphere in the normal growing season for fig trees.
You shouldn't need hormone to root them - just heat .

If you want to use hormone you need a fresh cut.  I think trying it both ways and see how things go for you is wise.  I outlined my way of doing things here

Thanks for the info. 

I am going to try wounding the base of the cutting like Bob outlined.

If I understood you correct you want to root fresh cuttings? Green? Not dormant?

I think fresh green cuttings are better suited for direct into pot planting. This is what I do with fresh cuttings. In the summer under a shade or filtered sun.

Good luck.