Description
About the Royal Empire™ Apple Tree
The Royal Empire™ Apple Tree is a premium choice for apple lovers seeking an improved version of the beloved Empire apple. This exceptional variety combines the sweet, crisp essence of a Delicious apple with the tangy, aromatic flavor of a McIntosh, delivering a perfectly balanced taste that’s sure to impress. Its vibrant deep red skin sets it apart from the traditional Empire, offering a visually striking fruit that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Beneath its smooth, ruby-red exterior, the Royal Empire™ reveals creamy white flesh that is juicy, firm, and perfect for snacking, baking, or adding to salads. Its mid-September harvest ensures you’ll enjoy this delectable apple at the peak of the fall season. With moderate disease resistance to common issues like mildew, fire blight, and rust, this tree is as practical as it is rewarding.
How to Grow the Royal Empire™ Apple Tree
The Royal Empire™ Apple Tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an excellent addition to home orchards in USDA Zones 4-7. To ensure optimal fruit production, it requires a compatible pollinator, such as an early- or mid-blooming apple variety—see recommended options below.
Regular pruning in late winter or early spring helps maintain its shape and encourages healthy growth. Thanks to its strong disease resistance and reliable performance, the Royal Empire™ Apple Tree is an easy-to-grow variety that’s well-suited for both novice and experienced gardeners.
Bring the taste of the orchard home with the Royal Empire™ Apple Tree, a stunning and flavorful choice that combines beauty, resilience, and superior taste.
Survival Guaranteed!
Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will send you a free one-time replacement, with a nominal shipping fee of $9.99. If the item in question is not available, we can issue a one-time credit to your account equaling the original product purchase price or issue you a refund. Read more about our warranty policy.
Characteristics
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Bloom Time | Early - Mid |
| Fruit Color | Red |
| Fruit Size | Medium |
| Hardiness Zone Range | 4 - 7 |
| Pollination | Pollinator Required |
| Ripens/Harvest | September |
| Shade/Sun | Full Sun |
| Soil Composition | Loamy |
| Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
| Soil pH Level | 6.0 - 7.0 |
| Taste | Sweet |
| Texture | Firm |
| Years to Bear | 2 - 5 |
Size & Spacing
Mature Size
Recommended Spacing
Zone Compatibility
Pollination
Tools & Supplies
Planting & Care
Learn all about how to grow apple trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.
Shipping Information
Arrives when it's time to plant
Questions & Answers
For many years after planting my first Apple trees, we never got apples and the main beams were demolished, the tree always recovered but never bore fruit. I finally figured out it was the deer damaging my trees! I put up corral panels, problem was solved. The trees look twisted but they are just loaded with apples now! I have twenty panels and several more trees in my orchard! works like a charm, easy up, easy down if you need to. You don't need heavy panels either, lighter ones work fine. Tractor Supply has them. We have a lot on hand because we have livestock.
It states it is
No I am sorry, the Empire is an early season bloomer while the Honeycrisp is Mid to late season.
These bloom times overlap and may not be the best pollinators for one another. The Honeycrisp is a mid-late bloomer where the Royal Emoire is Early- Mid season bloomer.
Yes, a Royal Empire apple tree can be cross-pollinated by Sweet 16, but not effectively by Wolf River due to bloom time differences.
I am sorry we do not offer that variety.
An improved Empire. This apple has the sweetness of a Delicious and the flavor of a McIntosh. An improved Empire because it colors to a deeper red than Empire. White-fleshed. Some resistance to mildew, fire blight and rust. Ripens in mid-September. It does have an overlapping bloom time as Mid season so it could pollinate the honeycrisp.
NO it will not I am sorry a list of pollinators can be found at the bottom of each product page.
It has some rust resistance but it is not 100 % and you should take appropriate measures to protect your tree.
If a tree is disease resistant it will be stated in the description of the product. Our website is loaded with information. If the description is read in there it staes "Some resistance to mildew, fire blight and rust. " Disease can be treated and if you are on a spray schedule this will help manage any disease it could contract.
Sounds delicious and a good pollinator
Planting both trees in memory of a very good friend and hunting buddy. Trees will be planted at out hunting cabin in memory of Dale
Zone 4
I love the taste of empire apple and always wanted a tree