This was taken by using the ambient-only settings translated into manual settings, then backing off off by a full EV by raising the shutter speed.

This was the best on-camera flash shot I could get after an hour of experimentation. It reduces contrast and allows more detail to be seen, but the balance chosen by auto-WB is too balanced in the direction of the camera flash, IMO. I can't abide what it does to the color of the tree. I changed the ambient/flash balance many times, but all were worse than this shot, which isn't terrific.