Travis,
We have just planted a very steep slope with
trees and shrubs that used the sun-trap method, by accident. I had most of it already planted and used
common sense in planning it. I had ordered
Toby Hemenway's "Gaia's Garden, and was very happy when it arrived and the concept was explained in the book. I had realized I had done the exact same thing already.
We have a southern exposure on the slope. Actually, somewhat of a south to south-east exposure. I looked at where the sun tracked and figured putting the tallest plants on the northern top of the slope was a good idea. The key is, you are creating a bowl shape to allow all of the plants to get the most hours of available sunlight on them. We had to take into consideration the steep angle of the slope, and its microclimates, which I had not known about before reading the book. So we will see after the plantings mature whether or not it was done correctly. The last of the plantings (after reading the book) were the
Apple trees (semi dwarf) and they were planted closer to the bottom as they could take a colder spell more easily. Also, the tree heights are mitigated by the drop of the slope.
Just look at the sun's daily movement and plant as close to that arc as you can. It will not be perfect anyway, as the angle of the sun's movement will change during the summer, but you will be close enough.
Our house acts the windbreak and that I can't change, as far as length or height, so if it offers wind turbulence there is not much I can do.
If you use the basic formula and get most of it right, I can't see you having any problems. It certainly has to be better than just guessing where to plant.
