Approach Graft?

this is an elm with a seemingly important branch, highlighted by the arrow, that is too straight. all last year I pinched all but 1-2 leaves, hoping it would back bud. but no luck.

i'm tempted to do an approach graft. good choice?

Why don't you just cut it back to a stub (or maybe a little longer) and see what sprouts? Often, simply defoliating isn't enough -- especially when there is an abundance of foliage elsewhere on the tree.

I fear no buds will pop, then i'm left with a big gap along the trunk.

how confident would you be a bud will pop?

thanks.