The cap is 5–12 cm (2–4+3⁄4 in) wide,[1] pale to orange-yellow with grayish brownish or reddish tomentum, and viscid while fresh.

[2] The yellow interior of the mushroom should slowly turn green-blue when cut with a knife.

[5] Arora reports that one collector stated the mushroom smells and tastes like Tootsie Rolls when dried.

[9] Suillus tomentosus forms tuberculate ectomycorrhizae (mycorrhizae that are nodular) with lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var.

Lodgepole pine can be found growing on gravel pits or other extremely nitrogen deficient soils.

Lodgepole pine with its S. tomentosus symbiont is one of the most common pioneer species in northern forests.