Seed dormancy is a phenomenon observed in several tropical species. This condition causes low and non-uniform germination. The present study was designed to identify an efficient method of breaking seed dormancy in Stryphnodendron pulcherrimum. Seeds of four mother plants were subjected to the following treatments: immersion in sulfuric acid for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 min and scarification on 150-grit sandpaper. Seeds were sown on substrate containing sand and sawdust (1:1). It was evaluate the days to onset seedlings emergence, seedlings emergence (SE), emergence speed index (ESI), germination (G), hard seeds (HS), dead seeds (DS), dormant seeds (DMS), abnormal seedlings (AS) and dry mass of aerial part (DMAP) and roots (DMR). The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications of 25 seeds for each treatment. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means compared by Tukey’s test (p < 0.05). Significant differences among treatments were observed for ESI, SE, G, HS, DMAP and DMR. Highest HS was observed in control treatment (85%). Highest G was observed in seeds scarified with sulfuric acid for 10 min (82%) and 12 min (74%). These treatments also showed highest ESI, DMAP and DMR, indicating that these scarification treatments were the most efficient in overcoming dormancy.