Empire Apple Tree

Empire is the best of two beloved parents in one apple — a McIntosh × Red Delicious cross developed in Geneva, New York and introduced in 1966 that delivers the crisp, tangy character of McIntosh balanced by the sweetness and beauty of Red Delicious. The medium-sized fruit has juicy white flesh, a well-rounded sweet-tart flavor, and the kind of reliable September performance that has made Empire a trusted home orchard favorite for over half a century. Resistant to fire blight and cedar apple rust, cold hardy, and easy to grow across Zones 4–7, it’s a Cornell University licensed variety built to perform.

The Best of McIntosh and Red Delicious

Empire’s flavor hits the sweet spot between its two celebrated parents. The crisp, juicy tang of McIntosh comes through in every bite, tempered by the sweetness that Red Delicious brings to the profile — a well-balanced, pleasant, approachable flavor that works equally well for fresh eating, baking, salads, and cider. The medium-sized, beautifully colored red fruit with juicy white flesh ripens in September for a dependable early fall harvest.

Resistant to Fire Blight and Cedar Apple Rust

Empire’s disease resistance package covers two of the most common and damaging apple diseases. Fire blight and cedar apple rust resistance together reduce the spray program demands that challenge many apple varieties, making Empire one of the more practical, low-maintenance choices for home orchardists who want a quality September apple without intensive disease management.

Over 50 Years of Proven Performance

Introduced in 1966 from the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva — the same program that developed Cortland and Macoun — Empire has earned its place in home orchards across America through consistent performance, reliable annual crops, and genuine flavor quality that has stood the test of time.

Why Growers Choose Empire

• McIntosh × Red Delicious cross — the best of both beloved parents in one apple
• Well-balanced sweet-tart flavor — approachable, versatile, and genuinely satisfying
• Resistant to fire blight and cedar apple rust — low-maintenance disease management
• Cornell University licensed variety — developed at Geneva, NY in 1966
• Reliable September harvest — consistent annual crops in Zones 4–7
• Cold hardy and easy to grow — a proven home orchard workhorse