Dryad

The Dryads ( gr Δρυάδες - Dryades ) are tree spirits of Greek mythology. In fact, they are nymphs of oak trees, but the term was common for all tree nymphs. The Greek word δρῦς ( drys ) means " Tree, Oak Tree ," from the Indo-European root * derew (o) - "tree" or "wood". They are presented as a beautiful female beings.

The nymphs of ash trees were called Meliai. They cared for the child's Zeus in Rhea's cave on Crete. Gaia gave birth to the Meliai after fertilization by falling drops of blood of discarded genitals of the emasculated Uranus.

In the Metamorphoses by Ovid is the desecration of the nymph Callisto, companion of the goddess Artemis, described by Zeus.

Hamadryads

Dryads, like all nymphs supernaturally long-lived and tied to their homes, but some of them went a bit beyond. These were the Hamadryads that were part of their trees, so that with the death of the tree also died his Hamadryad. For this reason, dryads and the Greek gods punished any mortals who injured a tree without first calling the tree nymphs. If a Dryad separated too long from their tree or the tree suffers, so does the Dryad suffers.

See also Daphne, who was one associated with the laurel Dryad.