PA32-300 pilot experienced a loss of power after takeoff in a climb and was unable to regain power after troubleshooting the malfunctioning engine. An off-airport landing was conducted with minimal damage to the aircraft.

Narrative

On Day 0 I took the plane to ZZZ1 to have the GFC500 software updated as per the AD.The plane behaved normally on the trip up and back. Trim and Autopilot both behaved as expected. After landing at ZZZ I filled the tanks and tied the plane down. The next day the airport line guys put the plane back in the hangar for me.On Day 2 the plan was to fly up to ZZZ2 and shoot some practice RNAV approaches to verify that the autotrim was working properly with the Autopilot.I went through a normal preflight; verified full fuel; sumped the tanks; verified that I did not need oil. The engine started normally. The engine monitor showed that all six cylinders were firing and had even temperatures. Oil pressure; temperature; were good. Fuel pressure was good.Run up was normal; mag check. Did not show any significant drop. Upon starting down the runway; the engine backfired twice so I decided to abort the takeoff. I taxied to the end of the runway and then cleared. On the taxiway; I did a run up and engine appeared normal.I returned to the ramp; checked engine instruments; everything appeared normal. I shut down; and verified that everything was normal. I then restarted the engine; checking oil pressure temp and fuel pressure. Stopped the engine and then repeated with same results. Since everything appeared normal; I taxied out to Runway XX. I then repeated the run up with normal results.Departure was normal; I climbed to 1500. I switched over to call ZZZ Approach for Bravo clearance and flight following to ZZZ2. As I was talking to Approach; the engine started to lose power; I immediately notified Approach and started turning back to ZZZ. I verified throttle; mixture and prop all forward; and fuel pump was on. However; the engine still was not producing power.Approach asked if I could make the runway; after a quick look; I realized that was impossible and replied negative. At that point I was headed roughly southward; there were trees directly in front of me but I saw a reasonable landing site off my left wing. I executed a base to final turn to set up for a landing going north. As I was completing the turn; I ended up at the east edge of the field. I looked down at the airspeed; saw that it was in the upper 60 or low 70s so knew I had to continue descending to avoid a stall. In the last few feet; I brushed a tree limb with my right wingtip. I continued the landing and rolled to a stop.After stopping; I turned off all switch on the left panel. When the fire department arrived they asked me to shut of mixture and the fuel valve.