Do I need a stand, or can I just use trees?

If you have two sturdy, well-spaced trees, tree-strap hammocks are cheaper and more portable. Reviewers in r/Hammocks repeatedly recommend a steel stand for yards with no trees or only grass and fence, and stand-included sets like the PNAEUT and SUNCREAT models are popular for that reason. The tradeoff verified-purchase reviewers cite is weight, footprint, and a higher price.