On thicker trunks you might find Ken Coates videos applicable. I viewed these before topworking my neighbors trees. Most instructive is his grafting techniques and his method of selecting good quality scionwood. It may be to late if your buds are already leafing out to use his methods as he is working here just before bud swell in the Cascades
Dennis
Kent, Wa
After 40 years in the business, for the 2018 season, Ken is using YouTube to share his personal and professional life as he practices his craft and works with his crew in the cherry and apple orchards. He explains in detail every aspect of the business, including how to select the best scion wood for the job, specialized tools and grafting techniques that he uses. He will even teach you how to properly sharpen a chain saw, and how to avoid cutting your leg off.
Adara as interstem: Ken Coates: Goodbye plum, hello cherry - Good Fruit Grower.
His YouTube channel can be found at this link:
How to graft a cherry tree 6 Year followup: shows wedge graft on larger diameter cuts. On wedge cut, exclude the bark to come into the wood making a perfect square. Then use knife to chip it out! The cambium needs to cross about an inch below the top. Scion shows no exposed cut at the top as it’s driven in tight. Base bud is facing out!
Scionwood: size of small to ring finger, where it starts to go from brown to green and bends easily gets rubbery, and the buds get real close that’s late stage growth, don’t use! Store 34-36F in damp sawdust. No green tips fully dormant. Rule of thumb: 1 scion per inch of cut diameter!
Cherry grafting videos: Who are you going to call if you need 10 thousand grafts completed?