A lot of digging would be difficult for me so I'm going with above ground, constructed the same way I sheet mulch except with the addition of the wood. I have laid down several large flattened cardboard boxes and am mounding tree limbs, branches and pinecones on that. Then some good compost and soil. Then probably the old banana leaves and more wood (or does all the wood belong at the bottom of the pile?) and layers of soil/compost until I have a mound that is two to three feet high. I mulched things this year with shredded cedar pet bedding I found on sale and will toss that in when I remove it. Does all this sound about right?
Is there any recommended height for a mound to begin with?
What about the addition of dead potted plants and their root balls, etc?
You do or don't add any "green" materials to this like green leaves, prunings, and so forth?
How long do you wait before planting the bed?