Wa-Alaykum-us-Salaam wa-Rahmatullaahi wa-Barakatuh,
I think those that hail from South Asia (I hope nobody is offended by this because my parents hailed from there) tend to fear the Jinn more than they should be (i.e., Allah is more deserving of being feared than His creation). When one learns about the Oneness of Allah, His Greatness, His Names and Attributes, then one realises that only He should be feared, placing one's trust in Him and asking for His Help Only. Also, the Prophet
taught us legislated supplications that we can say, for example when leaving the house (refer to the post below and the thread that contains other supplications)
http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showpost.php?p=307765&postcount=30
Also reciting Soorah al-Baqarah (there is a hadeeth about the Shaytaan leaving the household, I don't have the full hadeeth at hand), Soorah Al-e-Imraan (as well I think), Aayatul-Kursee and last three Soorahs of the Qur'aan. I don't have the hadeeths at hand for these but most brothers and sisters will be aware of their benefit, Insha'Allaah.
The first portion below relates to the dwelling places of the jinn (as you can see it does not include anything about trees). I have not read anything of such from my knowledge either. Regardless, the first point remains, the jinn cannot do anything unless it is by Allah's Leave Only. Therefore one should do those acts that will protect us (i.e., learning about Allah, trying our best to fear Him in our lives, reciting the legislated supplications and so on). The second part below is self-explanatory.
Many a time I remember hearing made up stories of jinns. It would have been better to have heard about Allah's Greatness.
Finally, it might be worth referring to the actual thread titled 'World of the Jinn and Devils' from the link below to learn some more (I had to remove some posts because of copyright, therefore if something doesn't make sense while reading then PM me. I tried my best to keep some flow in the thread):
http://www.turntoislam.com/forum/showthread.php?t=75832
(6) – The dwelling-places, gatherings and haunts of the jinn
The jinn inhibit the same earth on which we live, and they tend to gather in greater numbers in ruins and deserted places, and in dirty places such as bathrooms, privies, garbage dumps and graveyards. Hence – as Ibn Taymiyyah says – many of the “shaykhs” who are accompanied by the devils dwell in many of these places.
There are ahaadeeth which forbid praying in bathrooms because of the impurity (najaasah) in such places, and because they are the abode of the devils, and in graveyards because that is a means that leads to shirk.
They often gather in places where they can cause mischief, such as marketplaces. Salmaan advised some of his companions,
“Do not, if possible, be the first person to enter the marketplace, or the last one to leave, because it is the battle-ground of the devils, and in it he sets up his banner.”
(Narrated by Muslim, 4/1906, no. 2451)
The devils stay in the houses in which people live, but they may be expelled by saying Bismillaah, remembering Allah (dhikr) and reciting Qur’aan, especially Soorat al-Baqarah, including Aayat al-Kursi. The Messenger mentioned that the devils spread out and increase when darkness falls, hence he commanded us to keep our children inside at dusk.
This is a hadith which is agreed upon by Bukhaari and Muslim.
The devils flee from the adhaan, and in Ramadaan the devils are chained up.
The devils love to sit between the shade and the sun, hence the Messenger forbade sitting there. This is a saheeh hadith narrated in Al-Sunan and elsewhere.
(i) They have no authority over the righteous slaves of Allah
Allah has not given the Shaytaan any power to force people towards misguidance and kufr:
"Verily! My slaves (i.e the true believers of Islâmic Monotheism), You have no authority over them. and All-Sufficient is Your Lord as a Guardian."
(Qur’aan, 17: 65)
And he (Iblees *! Satan) had no authority over them, except that We might test him, who believes In the Hereafter from Him who is In doubt about it.
(Qur’aan, 34: 21)
What this means is that the Shaytaan has no means of gaining power over them, not by means of proof, or of force. The Shaytaan knows this fact:
[Iblees (Satan)] said: "O My Lord! because You misled Me, I shall indeed adorn the Path of error for them (mankind) on the earth, and I shall mislead them all.
"Except Your chosen, (guided) slaves among them."
(Qur’aan, 15: 39-40)
But he is able to gain control of those people who accept his ideas and who follow him willingly:
"Certainly, You shall have no authority over My slaves, except those who follow You of the Ghaawoon (Mushrikûn and those who Go astray, criminals, polytheists, and evil-doers, etc.).
(Qur’aan, 15: 42)
On the Day of Resurrection, the Shaytaan will say to his followers whom he misguided and led to their doom:
‘I had no authority over you except that I called you, and you responded to me.’
(Qur’aan, 14: 22)
In another aayah:
His power is only over those who obey and follow him (Satan), and those who join partners with Him (Allah, i.e. those who are Mushrikoon, i.e.,
polytheists).
(Qur’aan, 16: 100)
The power which the Shaytaan has been given over them is the power to deceive, misguide and wield full control over them, so that he pushes them to commit kufr and shirk and he forces them and does not let them leave him, as Allah says:
See you not that We have sent the Shayaateen (devils) against the disbelievers to push them to do evil.
(Qur’aan, 19: 83)
The Shaytaan has no evidence or proof for his power over his friends; rather it is simply the matter of their having responded to his call to them, because it suited their whims and desires and their aims. So they are the ones who have helped him against themselves and enabled their enemy to gain power over them by agreeing with him and following him. When they gave in to him willingly and gave him control over themselves, he was given power over them as a punishment to them. Allah does not give the Shaytaan any authority over a person until the person himself opens the way by obeying him and associating him with Allah. Then Allah gives him authority and power over him.
