Discover Arbor Garden Centre and Nursery's Beautiful Plants

The Empire apple tree is a reliable and flavorful choice for growers who value both heritage and performance. Developed in the 1940s at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Empire is a classic cross between McIntosh apple and Red Delicious apple, combining the juicy tenderness of McIntosh with the firmer texture and extended storage life of Red Delicious. The result is a medium-sized apple with a deep red skin, crisp white flesh, and a pleasantly sweet-tart flavor. Empire trees are moderately vigorous, highly productive, and well-suited to cooler climates, making them an excellent option for home orchards and commercial growers alike. Ripening in late September to early October, the fruit is perfect for fresh eating and holds its quality well in storage. With its dependable yields, rich breeding history, and balanced flavor, the Empire apple tree remains a standout among modern apple varieties. 

Pollination: Apple trees are not self-fertile. Plant two or more apple trees of different compatible varieties within 15–30 m (50–100 ft) to ensure proper pollination and fruit set. Empire pairs well with pollinators such as McIntosh, Gala, Honeycrisp, or Fuji.

Flowers Blossom: Mid spring

Fruit Ripens: Late September to early October

Fruit: Medium-sized with a deep red to dark crimson skin over a green background. Flesh is bright white, crisp, juicy, and aromatic with a mildly sweet-tart flavor.

Usage: Excellent for fresh eating, salads, and light cooking. Empire apples resist browning and maintain their texture well, though they are best suited for fresh use rather than long baking.

Tree Characteristics: Moderately vigorous, productive, and known for consistent yields of high-quality fruit. Trees are hardy and perform well in cooler climates.

Hardiness Zones: 4–8

Light Requirements: Full sun

Soil Requirements: Well-drained loamy soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0

Average Height: 3.6–5.4 m (12–18 ft), depending on rootstock

Maximum Height: Up to 6 m (20 ft)

Spread: 3–4.5 m (10–15 ft), depending on pruning and rootstock

Growth Habit: Upright to slightly spreading, forming a rounded canopy

Growth Rate: Moderate

Ontario Native Status: Introduced (developed in New York, USA)

Best Ontario native plants to grow around apple trees:

• Ground Cover (Shade Tolerant):
  • Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana): Excellent ground cover that acts as a living mulch, attracts bees, and produces small edible fruits.
  • Blue Violet (Viola sororia): A low-growing, shade-tolerant plant that thrives under the canopy.
  • Canada Anemone (Anemone canadensis): A native ground cover that handles shade and helps suppress weeds.
• Pest Repellents & Attractors (Beneficial Insects):
  • Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum): A native allium that repels pests (like aphids) and attracts beneficial insects with its strong scent.
  • Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta): Attracts beneficial insects that feed on pests.
  • Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.): Excellent for attracting pollinators and beneficial predatory wasps.
  • New York Ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis): High-value pollinator plant.
• Soil Improvers & Habitat:
  • Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum): Good for shade and beneficial insects.
  • Lupines (Lupinus perennis): Fixes nitrogen in the soil to feed the apple tree. 
  • Other Tips for Apple Tree Guilds:
• Spring Bulbs: Plant daffodils around the drip line to deter deer, rabbits, and voles.
• Chop-and-Drop: Use native plants like comfrey (non-native, but excellent) or goldenrod (native) to cut and lay down as mulch to build topsoil.
• Spacing: Place plants near the drip line (outer edge of branches) to minimize competition with the tree's roots, especially for young trees.