If you build from wood, use treated wood. Also, construct so that there are two methods of support where weight is supported. For example, the back is fastened to a tree but also is supported by diagonal braces. If you use deck screws, also use a few galvanized nails since screws are more likely to shear where as nails will bend. check your stands annually. These type of stands can hold up if built right and reinforced as needed. I hunt off a stand I built 15 years ago. It was made of treated wood and I have replaced wood or reinforced as needed a few times. The advantage of a wood stand is you can build a larger platform and use a swivel seat that rotates 360 degrees. You can use pipe and flanges to easily build this type of seat.