Malus domestica 'Empire' Dwarf

Empire Dwarf Apple

Malus domestica ‘Empire’ is a dwarf fruit tree grown for its crisp, juicy, sweet-tart apples with deep red skin and creamy white flesh. This deciduous apple tree typically has an upright to rounded habit, pinkish-white spring blooms, and dependable mid- to late-season fruit that is excellent for fresh eating, sauce, and baking. ‘Empire’ is a McIntosh × Red Delicious cross introduced by Cornell and is valued for flavor, productivity, and good disease resistance.

Type: Dwarf fruit tree
Mature Size: 8–10' wide x 8–10' high
USDA Zones: 4a–7b
Form: Upright, rounded
Light: Full sun
Soil / Water: Fertile, well-drained soil / moderate, consistent moisture
Bloom Time / Length: Mid spring / about 1–2 weeks
Wildlife: Flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects.

Features & Landscape Uses: Excellent for home orchards and edible landscapes where a smaller tree is needed. Fruit is usually harvested in September, with a firm texture and balanced sweet-tart flavor. Like most apples, it fruits best with a compatible pollinator nearby. Dwarf size is rootstock-dependent, so mature height can vary somewhat by grower.

Care: Plant in full sun with good air circulation. Water regularly during establishment and during dry periods. Prune annually in late winter to maintain structure and fruiting wood, and thin heavy crops to improve fruit size and reduce branch stress

Plant type

Fruit Tree

Height

8-10'

Width

8-10'

Hardiness zones

4–7

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Mid Spring

Flower color

Pink, White

Leaf color

Dark Green

Fall color

Green

Soil

Loamy well-drained

Landscape use

Fruit

Shape

Rounded, Upright

Bark

Fissured

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No