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Home » Shop » Trees » Apple » Red » EMPIRE APPLE
EMPIRE APPLE
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EMPIRE APPLE

Price range: $39.95 through $64.95

We keep getting requests for this local favourite, so here it is.
Introduced in 1966, this multi-purpose variety from Geneva, NY is a dependable choice for the home orchard. The flashy, fire engine sheen of Empire's waxy, ruby red skin is just like it's Red Delicious parent, but the flavour is it's own. Creamy white flesh boasts a satisfying crunch and a distinctive, zippy taste which has been described as 'rosehip tea with honey'. Other attributes include remarkable bruise resistance and respectable storage life. Empire is quite resistant to fire blight and powdery mildew, but not to scab.

Growing Tips

Apple Growing Tip

Besides selecting the most disease resistant varieties, there are
a few simple things to do to have better apples.

  • Fertilize under the outer edges of your trees. There are no feeder roots next to the trunk. A well fed tree stays healthier. (Adequate calcium in the soil also helps so that apples keep longer.)
  • Pick up fallen fruit and compost, dispose of, or feed to livestock (where possible).
  • Rake up leaves in the fall and compost them away from the orchard.
  • Prune trees to encourage light and air to reach the inside of the tree.
  • Provide bird nesting sites near your orchard. A variety of orchard companion type plants will attract native pollinator insects and also encourage birds to come and eat insect pests.

Product Overview
Apple (Malus) One of the most challenging fruits to grow organically, but take heart! Choosing one of our scab resistant varieties is a good start. With the vast array of flavours available (even for colder regions) in this healthy, versatile fruit, it would be a shame not to try a few trees. Natural pest control with insect traps and kaolin clay sprays can be used if desired. However, apples that are less than picture perfect are still just as flavourful and nutritious. Even with insect damaged fruit all is not lost. Drying, juicing or making apple sauce are still great options. Remember the old adage ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ was coined before the days of pesticide sprays. 1-2m (3-6') bareroot trees

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What is Orchard Grade?

An 'orchard grade' is a tree that may be somewhat shorter, slightly crooked, or a bit scratched, or for some other reason is not a perfect front lawn specimen. These trees will work just as well in an orchard as a first or number one would, since they still produce the very same fruit.

What is a 2 year old tree?

A '2 year old tree' is one that has grown an extra season in our nursery field.

All our trees are planted in the field in the spring as rootstock. They are grafted in August of the 1st year. Most of our trees are dug out in November of the 2nd year. Some trees are in the ground for another season. We dig these in November of the 3rd year. These are considered to be '2 year old trees'.

A '2 year old tree' has bigger roots, a thicker trunk, and more branching (They might start fruiting a year earlier).
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