Biodegradable tree planting apparatus

A planting apparatus for mangrove restoration comprising:

• a first partial shell comprising:
• a first half-spherical lower portion having a plurality of first holes, and one or more notches configured to facilitate breakage of the first partial shell as the mangrove plant grows, and
• a first half-frustoconical upper portion having a plurality of said first holes, wherein at least a first subset of said plurality of first holes are sized and positioned to receive elongated anchoring members for securing the apparatus in a coastal substrate against tidal forces, and one or more first vertical elongated slots disposed in the first partial shell and configured to allow a mangrove plant to split open the first partial shell as the plant grows;
• and
• a second partial shell comprising:
• a second half-spherical lower portion having a plurality of second holes, and one or more notches configured to facilitate breakage of the second partial shell as the mangrove plant grows, and
• a second half-frustoconical upper portion having a plurality of said second holes, wherein at least a first subset of said plurality of second holes are sized and positioned to receive elongated anchoring members for securing the apparatus in a coastal substrate against tidal forces, and one or more second vertical elongated slots disposed in the second partial shell and configured to allow a mangrove plant to split open the second partial shell as the plant grows;
• wherein:
• the first partial shell and the second partial shell are joined to form a complete shell for holding a mangrove plant comprising a spherical lower portion sized and shaped to accommodate a mangrove root ball, and a frustoconical upper portion sized and shaped to guide vertical growth of a mangrove propagule.