Out on a limb...

A few years ago a severe gale brought down a large Willow tree into the farm pond.  The submerged trunk had several branches sticking out of the water like black fingers on a withered hand, they had to go.  Today was amputation day.  I'd waited until the pond was at its lowest level, about 30" below the 'full' mark thinking that I could plodge out with my saw and do the deed.  Alas not, the pond at that location is still about 4 feet deep so I had to devise a new plan.  Using an aluminium ladder as a balance I shuffled out to the end of the tree trunk and chopped off the offending branches.  Job done.  MrsDB was so disappointed that I didn't fall in!