Ascended around branch with edifying leaders (7)

I believe the answer is:

climbed

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'ascended' is the definition.
(climbing is a kind of ascending)

'around branch with edifying leaders' is the wordplay.
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'branch' becomes 'limb' (I've seen this in another clue).
'with edifying leaders' becomes 'ced' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'limb' going into 'ced' is 'CLIMBED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for climbed that I've seen before include "rose" , "Ascended" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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