Saprotrophic fungi occuring on fallen stems of Corylus in mixed moist forests, mainly Picea/Corylus and broadleaved forests. Mainly in brooks, ravines, hillsides and close to springs with fresh water moving thru the soil keeping the logs moist. Often occuring on sites with rich flora and fauna incl other rare and threatened species and in some areas used as an indicator species of localities with high conservation values (Key habitats).
The species has a wide distribution but confined to a habitat that is heavily affected by forestry and changes of hydrology in forest ecosystems.
The species has an eastern geographical distribution in Europe, but is fairly common in North America. In many countries decreasing due to forestry and changes of hydrology and redlisted in most European countries where evaluated.

The species has an eastern geographical distribution in Europe, but is fairly common in North America (where collected and sold as afrodisiacum!). In Europe red-listed in almost all countries.

GBIF data from Norway wrong (species not found in Norway).

It is most likely that the species has declined because of the decrease in suitable substrate. Virgin forests have been reduced and fragmented because of forestry. Many deciduous woods with hazel have been transformed into young spruce forests.
A criteria possible, non of the other applicable, for a European assessment.
Global scale LC considering N.Am. populations.

Saprotrophic fungi occuring on fallen stems of Corylus in mixed moist forests, mainly Picea/Corylus and broadleaved forests. Mainly in brooks, ravines, hillsides and close to springs with fresh water moving thru the soil keeping the logs moist. Often occuring on sites with rich flora and fauna incl other rare and threatened species and in some areas used as an indicator species of localities with high biodiversity values.
I SC Europe (Slovak, Czech) also on Carpinus and Ulmus.

“The ecology of the fungus is somewhat complicated. It mainly lives on dead hazel wood under old bushes of hazel in spruce woods, often near flows
of water or where there groundwater is close to the ground. The spruces gives shade to the hazels and reduce the formation of live stems but at the same time hazel stems die, which favours Devil`s urn. It is also good for the fungus if young or some few older spruces occur near the growing sites, because the moisture in the substrate is preserved. In sunny and/or windy locations the ground will dry up and the fungus will not be able to form fruiting bodies. Devil`s urn needs snow-covered ground in March that provides wet conditions at the site when the snow melts. In regions with only a thin layer of snow in late winter no fruit bodies will be found. ” (Rydberg 2008)

Rydberg, H. 2008. Åtgärdsprogram för rökpipsvamp 2007-2010. Link: http://www.lansstyrelsen.se/gavleborg/SiteCollectionDocuments/Sv/djur-och-natur/hotade-vaxter-och-djur/atgardsprogram-for-hotade-arter/Rokpipsvamp_atgardsprogramet.pdf