A tree stand for removably supporting a tree includes a base having a water basin. A plurality of spaced apart jaws are biased upwardly and inwardly of an axis of the base to form an expandable clamp. An end of a trunk of the tree forcibly expands the jaws against their bias as the trunk is inserted into the water basin. The jaws of the clamp engage an outer surface of the trunk as they are biased towards their closed position to hold the tree vertically upright and stable.

A tree stand comprising a supporting base, a positioning sphere, and a compression collar. The supporting base is comprised of an annular cavity surrounding upwardly facing hemispherical socket. The annular cavity comprises an outer side wall including an upper threaded portion. The positioning sphere includes an outer spherical surface and a cavity for receiving a trunk of the tree. The compression collar comprised an outer threaded wall engageable with the upper threaded portion of the supporting base, and a first flange contactable with an upper portion of the outer spherical surface of the positioning sphere. When the positioning sphere is disposed in the hemispherical socket, and the compression collar is maximally threadably engaged with the supporting base, the flange of the compression collar is contacted with the outer spherical surface of the positioning sphere and immobilizes the sphere in the socket, thereby securing the tree in a desired upright position.