planting mechanisms 270 are at each seedling chute kicker end and have a furrow shaper shoe 272 and multiple furrow closure plates 274 as shown by fig4 a which is a view of the planting mechanism from the location shown in fig4 the furrow shaper shoe is configured with a similar cross section to a seedling tray cell in the direction of motion of the apparatus this provides a furrow with a cross sectional area essentially in the shape of a seedling ball the shaper blades have a gap between the inside surfaces located just below the chute kicker section also configured in the shape of a seedling tray cell a seedling which has just been dropped from the chute will fall in this gap and the vertical portion of the kicker will then enter the gap and align the seedling between the inside surfaces of the planting mechanism furrow shaper shoe the furrow closure plates then guides the soil that has been displaced by the furrow shaper shoe back into the furrow to complete the planting of the seedling the adjustable tray size seedling planting apparatus is flexible in layout and may be sized to permit use on a variety of field furrow configurations the adjustable tray size seedling planting apparatus controls may be implemented using a variety of power sources to obtain the same functional responses the use of the tractor hydraulic system may be supplemented or replaced by pneumatic electrical or electronic controls the adjustable tray size seedling planting apparatus is operated by first connecting the apparatus to a tractor using a 3 point hitch the apparatus is connected to the tractor hydraulic system by the quick disconnect fixtures and the control valve is opened the seedling tray holders are adjusted to fit the seedling tray.