Can it be said that the normal support is easier to remove from the bed than the tree version? I believe there is more continuous surface area with the normal support. The tree has separate circular bases that are very hard to remove.
yes, unless you add a larger brim that connects all those bases 
It depends.
Tree support is made up of many smaller bases that you often remove individually, this takes time, but not often physically difficult. On a cold plate they come off without any issues and in seconds.
Standard support can occupy a large rectangular shape that can be far more difficult to remove if the build plate is warm. Again. If it is cold, it comes off with ease.
You should prioritise the quality and stability of the model as removal from the model is far more important than the build plate.
Aim to limit the contact point between the support and model so surface defects are limited.