{"product_id":"apple-empire-semi-dwarf","title":"Empire Apple Tree","description":"\u003cp\u003eEmpire Apple Tree combines two American classics—McIntosh and Red Delicious—into a polished apple with fragrance, sweetness, and a satisfying crunch. The medium fruit colors deep red over green-yellow flesh, while its juicy texture carries the sprightly aroma associated with McIntosh and added sweetness from Red Delicious. That balance makes Empire easy to enjoy fresh and versatile for salads, lunchboxes, sauce, baking, juice, and cider. The flesh is firmer than McIntosh and the fruit keeps well, giving a productive early-fall harvest lasting value in the kitchen. Spring bloom also makes Empire useful within a diverse orchard, where it can provide pollen for several other apples. For gardeners who appreciate classic northeastern flavor but want greater crispness and broad adaptability, Empire offers a dependable combination of familiar character, handsome color, and everyday usefulness.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant Empire in full sun with well-drained soil. Prune annually for light and airflow, water consistently while fruit develops, and thin clusters so apples color and size evenly. Consistent moisture will help preserve the juicy texture that distinguishes the fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEmpire benefits from another compatible apple and is itself a useful pollinizer for several varieties, including Gravenstein, Mutsu, Winesap, and Jonagold where bloom overlaps.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eEmpire Apple Tree Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep red apple with pale yellow-green flesh\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor and texture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Crisp, sweet, juicy, aromatic, and sprightly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest uses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh eating, salads, sauce, baking, juice, cider, and storage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Best with another compatible apple; also useful as a pollinizer for several varieties.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended pollinizers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pair with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/apple-gala-semi-dwarf\"\u003eGala Apple\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/apple-granny-smith-semi-dwarf\"\u003eGranny Smith Apple\u003c\/a\u003e where bloom overlaps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thin clusters and expose fruit to good light for its best deep-red color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSomething Special:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cornell released Empire in 1966 from McIntosh and Red Delicious and chose a name honoring New York, the Empire State.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eOrchard Planning Resources\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/articles\/bare-root-tree-selection-guide\"\u003eBare Root Tree Selection Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/articles\/planting-bare-root-trees-for-beginners-a-comprehensive-guide\"\u003eHow to Plant Bare Root Trees\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1Rdt4TYt4fE0vpvNhXDgewxzwx4hg8xQc8_14DbtDKNc\/edit?usp=drivesdk\"\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Nut Tree Characteristics\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/e\/2PACX-1vRTawkXXtycdiTxe58p-gVjdAzuxvNCc7sZ9wri56m0rgvBQIbRObXuK2hSdDHL08ev0R3uzcupme6D\/pubhtml\"\u003eTree Rootstock Characteristics Chart\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Grow Organic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21543563821169,"sku":"FT051","price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0061\/1391\/9089\/files\/FT051.jpg?v=1747085640","url":"https:\/\/www.groworganic.mom\/products\/apple-empire-semi-dwarf","provider":"Grow Organic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}