It rarely forms pure stands. It is an early to mid seral species. It is a major component in mixed Conifer, douglas fir, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, redwood, and chapparral communities. In fact, the most dense populations of sugar pine are found on the western slopes of the Sierras. Common understory associates include Ceanothus spp.
Sugar pines are adept at growing in a variety of temperatures and precipitation levels.
Sugar pine grows in a wide range of soil conditions. Parent materials include volcanic rock, granite, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Sugar pines are often found to be dominate on more mesic sites within its range. Sugar pines also tend to be found in areas with well drained, permeable, and slightly acidic soils that consist of sandy to clay loams. Indians ate the sugar pine sap and also used it as a laxative.