The Empire apple tree is a semi-dwarf cultivar of M. domestica . Empire became generally available in 1966 and is a cross between McIntosh and Red Delicious apple varieties, although it is more McIntosh-like than Red Delicious. Empire is a crisp, juicy apple with a sweet-tart flavor and creamy white flesh, making it a good all-purpose apple. The tree grows up to 15 feet and has the same spread; therefore, it can be a good selection for smaller spaces than the standard apple tree, which grows up to 18 to 25 feet. Empire apples are picked between September and October and can be stored for three months. Dwarf rootstock trees, such as Empire, need another variety of apple tree to facilitate pollination and fruit production. Good companion pollination trees for the Empire include Golden, Red Delicious, or Gala varieties or a crabapple with a similar springtime bloom period. Semi-dwarf or dwarf trees also need slightly more enriched, well-drained loamy soil that holds moisture and is slightly acidic, with a PH in the 6.0 to 6.5 range. Generally, the more dwarf the rootstock, the greater the need for soil fertility. Empire apple trees tolerate average garden soils, but avoid unamended heavy clay soils that waterlog easily and drain poorly. Planting the tree in full sun encourages maximum flower and fruit production. Reducing fertilization in late summer can help protect the tree from some fungal conditions. A regular spraying program can also prevent disease and pest damage. Check with your county Cooperative Extension office for local treatment advice if needed. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants", a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Empire is susceptible to Scab and Powdery Mildew, as are most apple trees, along with a number of other diseases and insects such as aphids. Empire is resistant to fire blight and rust. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common apple and crab apple diseases and other plant problems. More information on Malus domestica .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheMalus domestica 'Fuji'Malus domestica 'Gala'Malus domestica 'Ginger Gold'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Edible; Perennial; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains
Mature size
Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The flower starts with a pink outer petal tint and then opens to a white bloom in April. The blooms grow in clusters at the ends of stems. The flower structure (stem placement) is described differently in different references. This may be due to variations in flower presentation variations by different cultivars.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Pome
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
> 3 inches long, > 3 inches wide
Fruit detail
The apple is red and medium sized. It is good for eating as is, in salads, or for cooking or baking.
Bark color
Light Gray
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers; small mammals and deer will eat dropped fruit.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Hummingbirds; Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Pome
Edibility
The fruit has a dark red over green background. It tastes juicy, firm, crunchy and sweet. Ripens from Mid-September until January. It is great for salads and fresh eating, good for sauce, baking and pies.
Uses (ethnobotany)
In addition to the fruit, cider is another profitable byproduct.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Meadow; Naturalized Area
Landscape theme
Edible Garden
Design feature
Flowering Tree
Garden tags
#deciduous #white flowers #full sun tolerant #edible fruits #flowering tree #deciduous tree #pomes #fruit tree #frequent disease problems #high maintenance #frequent insect problems #th-taste #th-wildlife
Problems & Resistance
Disease problems
Apple Powdery Mildew; Disease and Insect Management in the Home Orchard