The Myth of the Forest Fairies

In folklore, fairies are often depicted as spirits of trees and streams that live in forests, woodland communities, underground kingdoms, and lakes, They can come in many shapes and sizes, but are usually small. 

Forest fairies are often depicted in folklore as secretive, good-natured, and mischievous spirits that live in trees, streams, and woodland communities. 
In Greek mythology Dryads are nymphs or nature spirits that live in trees and take the form of beautiful young women. The name applies to all tree nymphs. It was believed that they only lived as long as the trees they inhabited. So when we chop down Trees we in effect are killing Fairies.

In Swedish folklore, Skogsrå is a mythical female forest creature, She can also be called Skogsfrun, Skogssnuvan, Skogsnymfen, Råndan, or Huldran.

In Slavic mythology, the Leshy is a forest demon or wood-spirit. His name comes from a Russian word meaning "forest" and he may have bark-like skin and green hair or beard.

In Ireland Fairies live in Trees and in Ring Forts. Fairy rings can still be seen around Ireland. Even before they had laws about where one can build, it was common knowledge that building too near a ring fort or other fairy dwelling was inviting disaster.

A story tells of the Delorean Car Factory chopping down a Fairy tree to build the factory. It’s believed the spectacular failure of the car was the Fairies revenge for the destruction of their tree and home.
Some say that fairies may have been influenced by the peris of Persian mythology, which were winged, beautiful, and extravagant nature spirits. 
Parī is a Supernatural Entity originating from Persian tales. They are often described as winged creatures of immense beauty who are structured in societies similar to that of humans.
In folklore an enchanted forest is a forest under, or containing enhancements. Such forests are described in the oldest folklore from regions where forests are common, and occur throughout the centuries. They represent places unknown to the characters, and situations of  transformation. The forest can feature as a place of threatening danger, or one of refuge, or a chance at adventure.

The Peasants could not conclusively say that it was impossible that a Witch could live an hour away.  Hence, Hansel and Gretel  found a cannibalistic witch in the forest;  they may have encountered Baba Yaga. She is described as an ugly old Hag or a beautiful Woman (Fairy Folk?) 

That the forest as a place of magic and danger is found among folklore wherever the natural state of wild land where Hansel and Gretel found the stream that their evil stepmother had enchanted. Hansel drinks of this and is transformed into a Deer.

The decrease of woodland for farmland meant the decrease of forests that could be presumed magical. In A Midsummer Nights Dream, William Shakespeare wrote of a forest that was enchanted specifically by the presence of Oberon and Titania, the fairy king and queen; like many forests in Shakespeare's works, it becomes a place of metamorphosis. Other plays, such as As you like it, take place in a forest, which contains no enchantments but acts much as the forest of folklore.

Forest Fairies, legend, myth or just plain made up. I would like to believe these creatures exist. But I am cautious of destroying Mother Nature. Who knows they may take their revenge on us for destroying their homes and the homes where wild Animals live.