Spring 2024
Keepers NurseryThe UK's largest range of Fruit Trees
Tel. 01622 326465
Empire
An attractive, crisp, dark red dessert apple with a sweet but tangy summer fruit flavour.
Origin: USA, 1945
Pollination: Empire is partially self-fertile and would produce some crop without a pollinator but would benefit considerably from a pollinator. Pollination partners
We are now closed for the season. Ordering for winter 2024/25 will be enabled from Wednesday 1st May 2024.
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History and description of Empire
Raised from a McIntosh X Delicious in USA by R D Way at New York State Agricultural Experimental Station, Geneva, USA in 1945. Introduced in 1966. Grown widely in USA and Canada and imported into the UK. A medium sized round fruit. Smooth-skinned, attractive dark red flush and waxy bloom. Tough skin. Crisp, clean taste, sweet and quite scented. Keeps well and resists bruising. Heavy cropper.Characteristics of Empire apple trees
| Use | Dessert |
| Colour | Red |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Fruit size | Medium |
| Picking time | Early/Mid Oct |
| Season of use | Nov-Jan |
| Tree vigour | Moderate |
| Tree habit | Upright-spreading |
| Fruit-bearing | Spur-bearer |
| Cropping | Heavy |
| Special features | Good for Cider |
| Pollination date | 9 |
| Pollination group | C |
| Self-fertility | Partially self-fertile |
| Pollinators | Pollination partners |
| Parentage | McIntosh Red Red Delicious |
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