"boletus pinophilus" forms ectomycorrhizal relationships with pine ("pinus"), fir ("abies") and spruce ("picea"). it can therefore be located wherever those trees grow, particularly with scots pine in britain, preferring the poor, acidic, and sandy soils associated with coniferous forests. it appears to favour "pinus", while the form of the mushroom occurring in association with "abies" and "picea" has been labeled "boletus pinophilus" var. "fuscoruber". however, it is not confined to coniferous trees and may also be found fruiting in deciduous forests, such as under chestnut trees. fruiting bodies can occur singly, or in small groups throughout the summer and autumn months, although they are known to appear as early as april in italy.