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Apple variety

Empire

The short answer

Empire requires 800 chill hours[1] and grows in USDA zones 4–8[2]. It needs a pollination partner[2].

Growing facts

Empire growing facts
Chill requirement800 chill hours[1] (nursery figure)
HardinessUSDA zones 4–8[2]
PollinationNeeds a pollination partner, bloom group 3[2]
Harvest windowSeptember–October[2]
Years to bearing4–5 years (typical for apples)[3]
Empire appleSpecies illustration — no historical watercolor exists for this cultivar

Pollination partners

Empire blooms in group 3. The closest bloom-time matches make the most reliable partners:

Show 27 more compatible varieties

Notes

  • Mid-season bloom (a McIntosh x Red Delicious cross); needs a compatible pollinizer.[2]
  • Moderately resistant to fire blight; resistant to cedar-apple rust; highly susceptible to apple scab.[4]

A year with your Empire

When the work happens for an apple in USDA zone 6, anchored to typical frost dates.

Months for pruning, thinning, spray-timing windows, and harvest for Apple in zone 6
TaskJFMAMJJASOND
Prune—————————
Thin——————————
Spray timing——————
Harvest——————————
Care———————————

See the full month-by-month apple calendar for zone 6 →

Can I grow Empire where I live?

Check the verdict for a few regions, or your exact ZIP:

Growing an Empire? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, with email reminders.

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Questions

How many chill hours does Empire need?
Empire needs 800 chill hours.
What hardiness zones suit Empire?
Empire grows in USDA zones 4–8.
Is Empire self-pollinating?
No — Empire needs a compatible pollination partner nearby.

Sources

  1. [1] Dave Wilson Nursery. Apples — DWN Variety Finder product list — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] Utah State University Extension. Apple Production and Variety Recommendations for the Utah Home Garden — accessed July 2026
  3. [3] Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. How soon will a newly planted fruit tree begin to bear fruit? (Yard and Garden FAQ) — accessed July 2026
  4. [4] Cornell University (College of Agriculture & Life Sciences). Disease Susceptibility of Common Apples — Apple Variety Database — accessed July 2026