Guild for Large, Mature Grandfather Oak in Central Florida

Hello Permies!

I've recently cleared out a bunch of ornamentals from under my grandfather oak and am now pondering what to put in. I have plans to sheet mulch the area and build up the soil. I would like to create a mini food forest, but am drawing a blank and not feeling very creative.

This tree stands in front of our house on the street and is visible to passersby. Sadly, we can't put in anything that is too unruly and wild looking. I have daydreamed about laying down gobs of moss and creating a little sanctuary with potted plants and stoneworks... but this seems wasteful in more ways than one. What perennial edibles/medicinals would thrive in the dappled shade under this hulking tree? is there a variety of sprawling moss that would make a good ground cover? i am zone 9a-ish. thanks!

Any Ideas?

Best!

Beware of building new soil too deep under an old tree....especially if the soil is clay....you can starve the roots of oxygen. I'd suggest checking out what other nearby permies are growing in such situations. (Actually there is a FL gathering coming up.....might glean some ideas there) Think gingers and aroids.....they can be pretty shade tolerant and at least some are edible and medicinal.....Comfrey might do as well...

ginger, cannas, aloes. all very easy to grow and easy to get.

I call the sprawling moss of which you speak "sweet potatoes"

Sweet potatoes won't thrive in shade, at least not to the point of producing any potatoes. They might produce greens, which are edible...but the vines will always be trying to get out from under the tree.

mine live in the shade.

Check out this list you can run the names throw practical plant for shade tolerance.
http://perennialvegetables.org/perennial-vegetables-for-each-climate-type/mediterranean-and-mild-subtropical/

Lovely oak tree in florida...in zone 9...can yu can it possibly hold truffles on its roots...oh what an exciting idea

I would like to reiterate what that other poster had said bout making the soil too deep too quickly, I have only seen this strangle non oak trees but i have seen some lovely trees die because someone wanted to put flowers at its base and added soil.

Things are likely not growing below the drip line of this tree because if deep shade and acid soil.

I found this list and i couldnt help but post it http://forums.permaculturenews.org/showthread.php?12859-Tropical-Subtropical-Shade-loving-Edibles/page3

but my concern is for the health of that oak tree.