Threadgrafting

Here is a small Siberian Elm tree (Ulmus pumila) that volunteered in our front yard. I let it grow for two years, then in February this year I pruned it back to this. I like the curve of the trunk, and the potential to form a small informal upright style bonsai.




















In spring when it started growing new branches there were none growing on the outside of the curve where the ideal first branch would be for a bonsai.













So I dug up a second volunteer elm tree and am attempting to add a branch by threadgrafting.
I drilled a hole through the trunk where I want the new branch, then snipped off all the leaves from the donor branch, called a scion, and threaded it through the hole. The idea is that as the branch grows and thickens it will eventually fuse with the new trunk. It is already starting to grow new leaves (not visible in this picture).