Abstract: A tree stand includes a bowl 12 with a backpost 14 fastened therein. The backpost includes a set of jaws or teeth 40u which bear against the tree trunk. A set of upper and lower straps 60u and 60l is buckled to the backpost in a manner which allows the length to be changed. An overcenter clamp lever 64u, 64l is associated with the upper and lower straps, for tensioning the straps against the tree trunk. A set of standoffs 50 is interposed between the straps and the tree trunk at locations opposite to the jaws of the backpost. The tree stand bowl 12 has a spherical shape, which mates with a spherical bowl receptacle or base 32, allowing the bowl to be rotated or tilted relative to the bowl receptacle, to align the tree. A set of edge fasteners clamps the edges of the bowl to the bowl receptacle at the selected position.