Empire Apple Tree

Description

Empire Apple Tree combines two American classics—McIntosh and Red Delicious—into a polished apple with fragrance, sweetness, and a satisfying crunch. The medium fruit colors deep red over green-yellow flesh, while its juicy texture carries the sprightly aroma associated with McIntosh and added sweetness from Red Delicious. That balance makes Empire easy to enjoy fresh and versatile for salads, lunchboxes, sauce, baking, juice, and cider. The flesh is firmer than McIntosh and the fruit keeps well, giving a productive early-fall harvest lasting value in the kitchen. Spring bloom also makes Empire useful within a diverse orchard, where it can provide pollen for several other apples. For gardeners who appreciate classic northeastern flavor but want greater crispness and broad adaptability, Empire offers a dependable combination of familiar character, handsome color, and everyday usefulness.
Plant Empire in full sun with well-drained soil. Prune annually for light and airflow, water consistently while fruit develops, and thin clusters so apples color and size evenly. Consistent moisture will help preserve the juicy texture that distinguishes the fruit.
Empire benefits from another compatible apple and is itself a useful pollinizer for several varieties, including Gravenstein, Mutsu, Winesap, and Jonagold where bloom overlaps.
Empire Apple Tree

Details

Fruit: Deep red apple with pale yellow-green flesh

Flavor and texture: Crisp, sweet, juicy, aromatic, and sprightly

Best uses: Fresh eating, salads, sauce, baking, juice, cider, and storage

Pollination: Best with another compatible apple; also useful as a pollinizer for several varieties.

Recommended pollinizers: Pair with Gala Apple or Granny Smith Apple where bloom overlaps.

Special care: Thin clusters and expose fruit to good light for its best deep-red color.

Something Special: Cornell released Empire in 1966 from McIntosh and Red Delicious and chose a name honoring New York, the Empire State.

Orchard Planning Resources
Bare Root Tree Selection Guide

How to Plant Bare Root Trees

Fruit & Nut Tree Characteristics

Tree Rootstock Characteristics Chart