USDA Certified Organic

Empire apples are a McIntosh type with superior color and flavor. The Empire apple trees are a cultivar of an apple derived from a seed grown in 1944 by Lester C. Anderson, a fruit nutritionist at Cornell. The original seed was a cross between the McIntosh and Red Delicious. The Empire apple has a dark red with heavy, waxy bloom and crisp, juicy flesh with some aromatic quality. Empire apples make a unique, rosy applesauce. They often lose their shape quickly when baked. Best for fresh eating. Fruit hangs on tree longer than McIntosh, but drops plenty before fully ripe. The Empire apple tree is very consistent annual producer. Please see below for further information on our organically grown Empire apple trees for sale.

Considerations for Empire apple tree

USDA Zones:  5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Uses:  Fresh Eating, Cider, cooking and sauce

Harvest Period: Late

Bloom Period: Midseason

Pollination Requirement: Requires different variety with same bloom period

Origin Date: New York 1945

Disease resistance: Good

Storage: 1 month

Rootstock: MM 111 (semi-dwarf)

Years to Bear: 2-4 years

Recommended Spacing: 12-16 ft.

Mature Size: 12-16 ft.

Water Requirements: 12-15 gallons per week May through Sept.

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Size of tree

Our trees range in height from 4-8 ft. in our field and trimmed to 4 to 5 ft. when shipped. Our young two year trees are most often feathered (side limbs). The trees diameter (caliper) is often 1/2 to 3/4 inch; *As noted by University of California Scientists and other qualified professionals the most successful trees often have caliper from 1/2" to 5/8" and usually establish faster than smaller and larger planting stock. .

Pruning tip

Basic idea for Pruning: Most fruit trees should be pruned in frost-free periods mid to late winter. (apricots best after bud break) Remove most vertical branches and shorten side branches. Fruiting wood is best on horizontal to 45 degree limbs. Learn more...

Shipping information

Shipping Note: Our fruit trees and berries are delivered to you bareroot during their winter dormancy from January through May depending on USDA zone. Trees are shipped with your invoice and helpful planting directions. There is no minimum quantity required but shipping rate for an individual tree is expensive since UPS/Fed Ex charge a dimensional weight and an additional handling fee to ship a tree. You'll find it's cost effective to consider a handful of trees,vines or our helpful Tree Starter Kits.

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