The apple was at the center of the tree. So in order to reach it from where he was sanding, he had to go onto the branch.
How many PETA members does it take to screw in a light bulb?None, because PETA members can't change anything.
Why is he on a branch? If he went up to pick an apple, then why did he move onto a branch? If his ladder was too short to get to the apple, why did he not just go to the store to buy one?