I would like to know the structure of the fixed set of an order $p$ automorphism [Edit: induced by a matrix in $GL\_2(K)$] on the Bruhat-Tits tree for a p-adic field $K$, specifically in the case where the order divides (you can assume equals) the residue characteristic. 


I have convinced myself that when the order is prime to the residue characteristic there are only two cases: if the corresponding root of unity is in the residue field, then there is a fixed apartment, if the corresponding root of unity is not in the residue field, then there is an isolated fixed point. 


But what happens if the order is equal to the residue characteristic?
To make the situation more specific, consider the matrix $$\left(\begin{array}{cc}\zeta\_p&0\\0&\zeta\_p^{-1}\end{array}\right)$$ and consider its action on the Bruhat-Tits tree for $K=\mathbb{Q}\_p(\zeta\_p)$. What is the structure of the fixed set? Is it connected or not? The action of the above matrix on the ends of the Bruhat-Tits tree has two fixed points because it is multiplication with $\zeta\_p^2$ on $\mathbb{P}^1(K)$. But if I look at the point of the tree corresponding to the lattice $\mathcal{O}\_K^2\subset K^2$, then the matrix acts on the link $\mathbb{P}^1(\mathbb{F}\_p)$ via the homomorphism $SL\_2(\mathcal{O}\_K)\to SL\_2(\mathbb{F}\_p)$ and the image of the matrix under this homomorphism is trivial. In particular, the whole link of the standard lattice is stabilized. The fixed set thus has to be larger than just a single geodesic. 


Can somebody please clarify the structure of the fixed set in this case? I am sure that this has been discussed in the literature, can someone please point me to some relevant papers or books? 



Fixed set of order p automorphism of Bruhat-Tits tree
First a caveat: there is a difference between "an automorphism of the Bruhat-Tits tree $T$ of a $p$-adic field $K$" and "an automorphism of $T$ induced by a matrix in $GL\_2(K)$". The first set is much larger: contrarily to higher rank buildings, Bruhat-Tits trees are very "soft" and have a lot of automorphisms. I believe that while you write "automorphism of $T$" you mean "automorphism of $T$ induced by a matrix" because otherwise the result you convinced yourselves of is false (while it is true for automorphisms given by matrices).


So restricting your question to automorphisms given by matrices, you can find the answer in section 3.2 of my paper with Chenevier "sous-groupes de GL(2) et arbres", in French, published at Journal of Algebra. In general, your fixed set will be either a "ball", or an "infinite band", or an "horodisc", or everything depending of whether it is semi-simple non-diagonalizeble, diagonalizable with distinct eigenvalues, unipotent, or central. In your example, it will be an infinite band.


