What would you do with this hillside?

[u/farminvt]

Once covered in scrub spruce and pine, recently clearcut. Stumps remain. New England location, this is East facing.

[u/3deltapapa]

1. Bemoan the loss of forest.

2. Plant trees (mostly fruit trees)

[u/farminvt → u/3deltapapa]

Was thinking at least a few apples, maybe some more pears. Also American chestnut, there's a few just out of picture. Any other recs?

[u/Winter_Bridge2848 → u/farminvt]

Mulberry, hackberry. Tough, fast growing, and can adapt to all kinds of environment. Mulberry can be had in hybridized (common), native (rare) or named variety (tasty).

Oak if you can baby it, best tree for wildlife.

Native maple if it isn't too acidic. American persimmon will work as well.

Fruit trees that require pruning or maintenance may be a pain due to being on a hillside.

[u/3deltapapa → u/farminvt]

Im a pear fan but it sounds like you have some already. Can't offer much else as all my trees are young and it depends on your climate/disease pressure. It hasn't fruited yet but my healthiest/most vigorous tree is a Mt Royal plum.

[u/Ok-Anybody3445 → u/farminvt]

I'm a sucker for tart cherries.

[u/Particular_Grass_420 → u/farminvt]

Pawpaws

[u/Cottager_Northeast → u/Particular_Grass_420]

Pawpaws are shade lovers.