I was driving on one of the major roads in Raleigh, NC (Glenwood Ave.) at about 50mph in light traffic. The car in front of me ran over a branch on the road that was about 2-3 inches in diameter and a few feet long. It popped the branch up in the air spinning end-over-end. It was definitely up to windshield height. I stomped on the brakes and swerved around it. I doubt my `95 Carollla would have made that move. There were some squealing and smoking tires but I did not lose control.