Yoo should be able to easily eliminate those branches in ULC with a combination of the patch and clone tools. They should definitely go IMO. Beautiful subject with nice colours. I do feel like the image could be lightened some, and I would give it more room below (if you have it) as the feet are rather close to the edge - with one toe pratically touching the bottom. There sems to be some evidence of post-processing work in front of the chest?