"Suillus luteus" is a pioneer species that typically establishes itself in the early stages of forest succession. The fungus forms mycorrhizal associations with various species of pine, including Scots pine ("P. sylvestris"), black pine ("P. nigra"), and Macedonian pine ("P. peuce") in Europe, and red pine ("P. resinosa") and white pine ("P. strobus") in North America. An "in vitro" experiment demonstrated that the species could form an ectomycorrhizal association with Aleppo pine ("P. halepensis"), a key species used in reforestation in the Mediterranean. A study of the ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with a lodgepole pine ("P. contorta") invasion front near Coyhaique, Chile, showed that many invasive trees were supported by "S. luteus" as the sole mycorrhizal partner.