The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of tamboril (Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong) seedlings and define their time in the nursery. Two experiments were carried out; in the first, the seedlings remained in the nursery for 120 days, and height, diameter, root deformation %, shoot dry mass, root system and leaf number were evaluated. In the second experiment, four seedlings of each repetition were transplanted into 35 x 40 cm bags and then assessed for height, diameter and dry weight of the shoot and root system. Data were submitted to analysis of variance (α = 0.05), Tukey test at 5% (qualitative factor) and sequential regression (quantitative factors). The seedlings produced in higher-tube volumes achieved conditions for planting at 90 days, while those produced in the lowest volume achieved the same conditions only after 120 days. Therefore, 180 cm 3 tubes and a 90-day stay in the nursery are recommended.