descent below minimums

Well, I must say I cannot imagine a situation where one could see
distant runway lights yet not be able to see objects 5 feet away.

If you say it's possible, I'll have to take your word for it.

it's very easy to imagine. Take a fast telephote camera lens
(300mm/2.8, 200mm/f2). Focues on a object at infinity and try
to pick out objects nearby. By default, you will have the widest
aperature and shallowest depth of field. You won't see a thing nearby
that you can clearly distinguish. This is *exactly* what is
happening here. Your eyes are focusing on the runway at infinity that
has bright lights relative to the dark tree limbs. You can't possibly
see them.

The better question, I know you can see and avoid many trees or other
obstacles. What obstacles did you not see? You'll never know.

Gerald