How to Grow Empire Apple
Wikimedia Commons
Empire Apple
Malus domestica 'Empire'
treeEmpire is a mid-season apple variety developed in New York, known for its dark red color and crisp, juicy flesh with a balanced sweet-tart flavor. It's a reliable, disease-resistant cultivar that produces heavy crops and stores well, making it popular for both home gardens and commercial orchards. The tree is a cross between Red Delicious and McIntosh apples.
When should you plant Empire Apple in your zone?
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Example Empire Apple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Empire Apple
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Empire Apple
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Empire Apple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 4-7, with best performance in zones 5-6
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Establishment (Year 1-2)
2 yearsYoung tree focuses on root and branch development rather than fruit production. Growth is vigorous with mostly vegetative shoots.
Remove any flower buds in first year to redirect energy to growth. Stake tree for support. Prune to establish strong central leader framework. Water regularly and mulch.
Juvenile to Productive (Year 2-4)
2-3 yearsTree begins flowering and setting light to moderate fruit crops. Branches are developing proper structure and fruit buds are forming.
Thin flowers and developing fruit to 1 apple per 6 inches of branch to encourage larger fruit. Continue structural pruning. Maintain consistent watering and nutrition.
Flowering (Mid-April to May in zones 5-6)
2-3 weeksEmpire produces white flowers with pink tinges in clusters. It's a good pollinator variety with medium flowering intensity.
Ensure adequate pollinator activity (bees). Don't spray pesticides during bloom. Provide another apple variety nearby for cross-pollination (Empire is partially self-fertile but produces better with a pollinator like Gala, Honeycrisp, or Jonathan).
Fruiting & Development (June-August)
8-10 weeksFruits develop from golf-ball to full mature size. Apples develop deep dark red color typical of the variety. Trees may experience summer growth flush.
Perform fruit thinning (thin to 6 inches apart) when fruits are walnut-sized for larger, higher-quality apples. Monitor for pests and diseases. Water consistently, especially during dry spells. Thin overcrowded branches for air circulation.
Harvest & Dormancy (Late August to October)
6-8 weeksApples reach full maturity with peak sweetness and color. Tree enters dormancy in fall. Fruit is ready for picking mid-September through early October depending on location.
Harvest when apples easily twist off the branch and have developed full color. Store at 32-40°F for extended shelf life (up to 5 months). Prune in late winter while dormant to remove crossing branches and maintain shape.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use sticky red sphere traps in summer; remove dropped fruit promptly; apply spinosad if needed in late June-July
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Use pheromone traps for monitoring; apply spinosad or kaolin clay during vulnerable periods; remove infested fruit
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Prune for air circulation; apply sulfur or neem oil at first sign; Empire has good resistance but monitor in humid conditions
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Remove nearby juniper/cedar hosts if possible; apply fungicide (sulfur, myclobutanil) in spring when new growth appears
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Empire has good disease resistance; ensure good air circulation; remove fallen leaves; apply lime-sulfur if needed in spring
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Hand-pick in early morning; use pheromone traps away from tree; apply spinosad if population is heavy
Uses
Fresh eating and storage
CulinaryEmpire apples are excellent fresh-eating apples with crisp, juicy flesh and balanced sweet-tart flavor. They store remarkably well in cold conditions for 4-5 months, making them ideal for winter use. [source]
Cooking and baking
CulinaryThe firm flesh holds shape well when cooked, making Empire apples suitable for pies, crisps, sauces, and baked goods. Their mild tartness adds complexity without overwhelming sweetness. [source]
Nutritional health benefits
MedicinalApples are rich in dietary fiber (particularly in the skin), vitamin C, and polyphenolic antioxidants that support heart health and digestive function. [source]
Wildlife support
WildlifeApple trees provide nectar and pollen for pollinators during spring bloom and produce fruit that attracts birds and wildlife in fall. [source]
Cider production
CraftEmpire apples can be used in cider blends to contribute tannins, acid, and flavor complexity, though they're typically mixed with other varieties for balanced cider. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Empire apples mature mid-September to early October (varies by location and season). Pick when fruit detaches easily with a gentle twist—don't pull down. Harvest in the morning for best crispness. Store at 32-40°F for up to 5 months. Properly stored apples remain crisp and maintain quality longer than many other varieties.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Empire apples were developed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva and released in 1966. They were created specifically to combine the firmness and storage quality of Red Delicious with the flavor and disease resistance of McIntosh.
- 🌱 Empire is one of the few apple varieties that is partially self-fertile, meaning it can set fruit with its own pollen, though it produces significantly heavier crops with cross-pollination from another compatible variety.
- 🌱 The name 'Empire' was chosen to reflect the apple's development in New York, the Empire State, and the variety has become one of the most widely grown apples in the northeastern United States.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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