The species name is a Latinised version of the Greek word "dryinos" (δρύῐνος), meaning "related to oak", which refers to one of its main hosts.

They were distinguished because only P. corticatus has intertwined ("anastomosing") gills on the stem and P. Albertini is bigger and grows on conifer wood rather than oak.

It occurs especially on oak (from which it derives its name), but also on beech, other broad-leaved trees, and occasionally on conifers.

Appearing from summer to autumn, it is distributed throughout Europe, where it varies locally between common and rare.

[10] Like some other Pleurotus species, P. dryinus attacks nematodes and may provide a control method for these parasites when they infect cats and dogs.