The problems and the advances of seed research on the various steps prior to seeding of forest tree species, as well as the methods used in determination of fruit maturity and harvest point, seed extraction, drying, processing, storage and analysis are focused. There are more than 500 native forest species of economical value in Brazil, on which there are few information. Research in seed production and technology at EMBRAPA's Center-South Regional Unit of Forest Research involves production of Pinus and native species seed, determination of physiological maturity point and analysis methods for seed testing of native species.