Resumo. The management of the substrate and fertilization is essential to ensure the formation of forest species seedlings with quality and succeed in establishing in the field, either for the purpose of urban forestry, recuperation of degraded areas, reforestation projects or wood purposes. In this sense, the objective was to evaluate the effect of washed coconut coir fiber and increasing doses of controlled release fertilizer in producing seedlings of baraúna (Schinopsis brasiliensis Engler). The experiment was carried out from January 30, 2015 to April 4, 2015, in the nursery (50% shade) in the areas of Seedling Production at Reference Center for Recovery Degraded Areas of Caatinga (CRAD) at the Federal University of the São Francisco Valley (UNIVASF), Petrolina-PE. The experimental design was completely randomized, with treatments distributed in a 5x2 factorial arrangement for five doses of fertilizer Osmocote® (0.0; 4.5; 9.0; 13.5 e 18.0 kg m-3) and washed and non-washed substrate with four replications and 54 recipients per plot. During the experiment were recorded emergency percentage (% PE) and the emergence speed index (IVE). At the end of the experiment were determined theplant height; number of leaves; stem diameter; average length of roots; leaf area; leaf chlorophyll; and dry weight of shoot and root. The high salinity in the substrate coconut fiber compromises the initial development of baraúna seedlings, indicating the need of washing the substrate to produce seedlings. Washing coconut powder in association with the use of controlled release fertilizer promotes better quality seedlings. The doses of controlled release fertilizer positively influence the initial growth of baraúna seedlings, increasing all studied variables. The controlled release fertilizer can be recommended for the formation of baraúna seedlings at a dose of up to 12.75 kg m-3.