The notch in the back of the tree stand fits over a tree trunk and the flexible steel band encircles the trunk and supports the platform. Each side of the platform is provided with a pair of legs each of which is connected to the platform by pivots arranged at 90.degree. to each other to let the legs be raised or lowered and to let the legs move inwardly. Each front leg carries a guide for the flexible steel band and also carries a locking device actuated by a knob. The device has a lock pin engageable with the band in any position of the legs and also has a pin engageable with the rear leg only in the raised (operative) position of the legs. The rear leg includes a flexible steel portion which can twist to accommodate misalignment at the connection between the legs.