This is Bruce Benson’s favorite apple and for good reason. Developed by Cornell University in the 40’s as an open pollinated cross between McIntosh and Red Delicious, don’t let its Red Delicious parentage fool you. We personally think it has inherited more of its McIntosh genetics. These apples have been growing in Montana since at least the 1970’s and have done exceedingly well in the western parts of Montana (Missoula, Bitterroot, Flathead, and Mission valleys) and we’ve also seen it growing in Idaho (near Kamiah and Orofino). Of course this apple is grown extensively in New York and other places in the Northeast and East coast, but if you are in the eastern part of Montana or in an area where winter lows can drop below -40F, then perhaps look to a different variety. It may be able to take sub -40F temps although judging by its parentage (McIntosh’s limit is around -40F or slightly below) and Red Delicious is even less hardy than that, we think it would be wise to look to our hardier apples.

Great for fresh eating, dried, sauces, and other processing/culinary pursuits. Truly an all purpose apple.

For 2025, we have grafted empire onto three different rootstock, M26, M111, Dolgo. M 26 gets to be about 12-16 ft tall, whereas M111 is semi-standard and can get well over 20 ft. tall. Both M26 and M111 are hardy to about -40F. Dolgo, meanwhile can get between 20-30 ft at maturity but is hardy into the -60Fs. If you are on the edge of -40F then go with Dolgo as your rootstock. Probably wouldn’t push it growing Empire if you see below -45F.

Image courtesy of Cliff Hutson