Permaculture on a 60 - 120 degree Angled hill north east facing

I have checked the other forum topics and was looking specifically for low growing permaculture that works on a 60-120 degree hill facing north east. It is on the backwaters of the Mississippi. So the land is organic soil and sand. The hill naturally grows lots of itch weed, buckthorn, poison ivy, sumac, diseased Ash trees, and other like minded companions. We would like to plant useful plants like low growing fruit trees, berries, mushrooms, or any type of edible permaculture that can help take over the hill. It's a difficult hill to work on because of the angles in some spots, the current vegetation grows quickly which has made it hard to keep up on. The land is historically part of the half breed American Indian reservation. We are respectful of the land. So incorporating all those needs is no small task. I'm doing research before we have a landscape designer come in.  The pictures are in the spring after I spent two weeks clearing vines, sumac, buckthorn, and scrub trees. That was only on 1/3 of the area. It is not a sustainable labor project throughout the summer because there are gardens, chickens, pets, and life to attend to. All ideas are welcome.

Hi Renee

Welcome to Permies.

Hello Renee,

You may want to consider whether or not there is seasonal or weather related flooding in the area. Make sure whatever is near the bottom that might get flooded can handle its feet being underwater.

If you plan on tractor/ truck assistance, consider making your "access rows" up/down the steeper parts of the hill, things could get tippy side to side. Its hard for me to tell the slope via picture.

Do you need this area for your own use, or could you devote this to a "wild" area? If you have sufficient flatter land elsewhere for your more intensive gardening, think about planting some fruit/nut trees and "letting it go".

I don't understand your angles, is that the orientation?

Hi Renee,

I'm a little confused regarding orientation and steepness, as well.

That lovely tree in the picture you posted appears to have its shadow going mostly uphill.  But... northern hemisphere during spring time in the morning... makes me disoriented with which way the slopes are facing on the property of interest.

Can you confirm which direction the area of interest is facing, and what the steepness of the slope is?

This chart can help regarding % grade for slope:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/Pente-Slope_--Degres-Ratio_V1.jpg

Orientation (cardinal directions or degrees) and slope (percent grade or degrees) are both super important in design, so I don't want to be confused.

Can you also describe what you mean by "low growing permaculture"?  By this do you mean that there is a height limitation to what you can plant?  Or are you referring to the elevation of the site?