RE: Face it or tree between?
Perfect world?
Find a tree where you can face the direction of travel....... wind in your favor, forward and back cover, anticipated travel/trail passes the stand about 15yrds off your left shoulder (for right handed shooter). If you can play the sun? even better.
At least that's what I shoot for when I look for stand locations and adjust from there........I try my best to get no closer than about 10 yards from main trails.