Utilizing roots, time, and erosion to terrace steep hillside

Their is around 5 acres that makes a 100' elevation gain at about 45 degree slope. Basically there's alot of land that is very steep and south facing. I'm hoping to cultivate berries, fruit, nuts and various perreniels on the hillside and put a road in down the hill.

I'm seeing this as a low priority, but would like to start installing some earthworks that would make the terracing project easier down the road. The idea would be to plant some trees in the pattern i would like the road terraced, so that the tree roots will begin to stabilize the hillside, and make it easier to cut the path/small road later.

To help the trees get established on the hillside and need less watering I'm planning to:
1. Make 3' diameter bundles out of 8' long 1/2" diameter broadleaf maple poles that I will be thinning from other parts of the land
2. Stake the bundles to the hillside
3. dig a large impression uphill from the bundle, throwing the dirt onto the bundle to help the wood break down and become a sponge.
4. Dig 8' swales off the side of the impression, drawing water to the impression
5. Plant DA/NF cover crops in the impression
6. 2 years after the impression has been prepped with cover crops, and the bundle has dissentigrated into a large water sponge i'll plant in some trees and bushes.

Questions:
Do you think it's worth it?
What trees would you use that have good root systems for stabilizing hillsides?
Do you think crab apples or other fruit trees will be benefited or hindered from the large rotting bundle of maple?

Thanks for the input.

peace,
warren