The name Ocotepec means "on the hill of the ocotes, or Montezuma pines."

Pinus devoniana is closely related to Pinus montezumae (the Montezuma Pine).

It preferred open montane forests made up of Durango, Mexican White, Loblolly and Montezuma Pines and oak, usually between 2100 and 2700 meters ASL.

In the pine forests, Montezuma Pine (Pinus montezumae) is generally predominant, with Hartweg's Pine (Pinus hartwegii) and Pinus teocote in dry areas with shallow soils.