Variety fit — North Carolina
Can I grow Empire apple in North Carolina?
The verdict
Yes
- Your zone 8a and typical 1361 chill hours both suit this variety.
Based on North Carolina’s main growing area (28601): zone 8a, ~1,361 chill hours. Your exact site may differ — check your ZIP.
The numbers
| Empire chill requirement | 800 chill hours |
|---|---|
| Empire hardiness | USDA zones 4–8 |
| North Carolina average chill (28601) | 1,361 hours (1,109–1,716 across 10 winters) |
| North Carolina zone (28601) | USDA zone 8a |
Keep checking
Or the same verdict for another region:
Planting an Empire in North Carolina? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, with email reminders.
Save this tree in My OrchardQuestions
- Can I grow Empire apple in North Carolina?
- Yes — Your zone 8a and typical 1361 chill hours both suit this variety.
Sources
- [1] Open-Meteo / Copernicus ERA5. Historical Weather API (hourly 2m temperature) — accessed July 2026
- [2] USDA / PRISM (Oregon State University). 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — accessed July 2026
- [3] Utah State University Extension. Apple Production and Variety Recommendations for the Utah Home Garden — accessed July 2026
- [4] Dave Wilson Nursery. Apples — DWN Variety Finder product list — accessed July 2026