Recent studies have identified key components in an integrated system that increases field survival, disease protection, and growth of planted longleaf pines. Biological, chemical, and cultural practices in the nursery and the field are coordinated to increase seedling root development, ectomycorrhizae, and stem diameter; decrease nursery and field planting site pest problems; and maintain seedling quality beyond the nursery packing shed. Factors that must be controlled in nurseries include seed quality, soil and mulch fumigation, sowing dates, seedbed density, seedling root pruning, and seedling lifting, handling, and storage. Recent nursery developments are precision sowing of seedbeds, inoculations of seedbeds with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius (Pt), and treatment of roots with the systemic fungicide benomyl. Successful longleaf pine planting requires continuous application of all of the required practices in nurseries and in the field.