diff --git a/crates/uv-cli/src/lib.rs b/crates/uv-cli/src/lib.rs
index 10652961e..fe6b74fa5 100644
--- a/crates/uv-cli/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/uv-cli/src/lib.rs
@@ -2414,25 +2414,32 @@ pub struct TreeArgs {
     #[command(flatten)]
     pub resolver: ResolverArgs,
 
-    /// The Python version to use when filtering the tree (via `--filter`). For example, pass
-    /// `--python-version 3.10` to display the dependencies that would be included when installing
-    /// on Python 3.10.
+    /// The Python version to use when filtering the tree.
+    ///
+    /// For example, pass `--python-version 3.10` to display the dependencies
+    /// that would be included when installing on Python 3.10.
+    ///
+    /// Defaults to the version of the discovered Python interpreter.
     #[arg(long, conflicts_with = "universal")]
     pub python_version: Option<PythonVersion>,
 
-    /// The platform to use when filtering the tree (via `--filter`). For example, pass `--platform
-    /// windows` to display the dependencies that would be included when installing on Windows.
+    /// The platform to use when filtering the tree.
     ///
-    /// Represented as a "target triple", a string that describes the target platform in terms of
-    /// its CPU, vendor, and operating system name, like `x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu` or
-    /// `aaarch64-apple-darwin`.
+    /// For example, pass `--platform windows` to display the dependencies that
+    /// would be included when installing on Windows.
+    ///
+    /// Represented as a "target triple", a string that describes the target
+    /// platform in terms of its CPU, vendor, and operating system name, like
+    /// `x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu` or `aaarch64-apple-darwin`.
     #[arg(long, conflicts_with = "universal")]
     pub python_platform: Option<TargetTriple>,
 
-    /// The Python interpreter to use for resolution.
+    /// The Python interpreter to use for locking and filtering.
     ///
-    /// A Python interpreter is required to perform the lock before displaying
-    /// the tree.
+    /// By default, the tree is filtered to match the platform as reported by
+    /// the Python interpreter. Use `--universal` to display the tree for all
+    /// platforms, or use `--python-version` or `--python-platform` to override
+    /// a subset of markers.
     ///
     /// See `uv help python` for details on Python discovery and supported
     /// request formats.
diff --git a/docs/reference/cli.md b/docs/reference/cli.md
index 1b2f4258b..63060b510 100644
--- a/docs/reference/cli.md
+++ b/docs/reference/cli.md
@@ -1159,9 +1159,15 @@ uv tree [OPTIONS]
 
 <li><code>symlink</code>:  Symbolically link packages from the wheel into the <code>site-packages</code> directory</li>
 </ul>
-</dd><dt><code>--python-version</code> <i>python-version</i></dt><dd><p>The Python version to use when filtering the tree (via <code>--filter</code>). For example, pass <code>--python-version 3.10</code> to display the dependencies that would be included when installing on Python 3.10</p>
+</dd><dt><code>--python-version</code> <i>python-version</i></dt><dd><p>The Python version to use when filtering the tree.</p>
 
-</dd><dt><code>--python-platform</code> <i>python-platform</i></dt><dd><p>The platform to use when filtering the tree (via <code>--filter</code>). For example, pass <code>--platform windows</code> to display the dependencies that would be included when installing on Windows.</p>
+<p>For example, pass <code>--python-version 3.10</code> to display the dependencies that would be included when installing on Python 3.10.</p>
+
+<p>Defaults to the version of the discovered Python interpreter.</p>
+
+</dd><dt><code>--python-platform</code> <i>python-platform</i></dt><dd><p>The platform to use when filtering the tree.</p>
+
+<p>For example, pass <code>--platform windows</code> to display the dependencies that would be included when installing on Windows.</p>
 
 <p>Represented as a &quot;target triple&quot;, a string that describes the target platform in terms of its CPU, vendor, and operating system name, like <code>x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu</code> or <code>aaarch64-apple-darwin</code>.</p>
 
@@ -1200,9 +1206,9 @@ uv tree [OPTIONS]
 
 <li><code>aarch64-manylinux_2_31</code>:  An ARM64 target for the <code>manylinux_2_31</code> platform</li>
 </ul>
-</dd><dt><code>--python</code>, <code>-p</code> <i>python</i></dt><dd><p>The Python interpreter to use for resolution.</p>
+</dd><dt><code>--python</code>, <code>-p</code> <i>python</i></dt><dd><p>The Python interpreter to use for locking and filtering.</p>
 
-<p>A Python interpreter is required to perform the lock before displaying the tree.</p>
+<p>By default, the tree is filtered to match the platform as reported by the Python interpreter. Use <code>--universal</code> to display the tree for all platforms, or use <code>--python-version</code> or <code>--python-platform</code> to override a subset of markers.</p>
 
 <p>See <code>uv help python</code> for details on Python discovery and supported request formats.</p>