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All about apples, pears, plums, and cherries - and orchards where they are grown

Empire Apple tree

Owner: Leslie

Location:  Kelowna, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Canada

Age:Planted in about
Soil:sandy. former creek bed 
Climate at this location:winter snow. -10 to -20C. summer 25C to 30C sunny/hot
Pruning:open in middle, take off small shoots/spurs
Tree form:Central leader (widest at bottom)
Height:Between 6ft / 2m and 15ft / 4m
Cropping:Medium crops
Growth:This tree grows easily here
Herbicides:Manual treatment (hoeing and weeding)
Pesticides:Organic treatments
Local pests:coddling moth

Owner's comments

local pear orchard owner (their orchard from 1940's) thought the tree was Empire due to the apple's leaves, colour of the fruit. the pear orchard had similar tree in their orchard. our house lot part of old orchard from 1940's according to elderly neighbour on same street. rest of the old apple trees might be idared. the apples on both trees have characteristics of idared and empire. definitely deep red with some green streaks. very white interior. tart/sweet flavour, especially after weeks of cold weather/frost. keep for several months in cold storage. excellent for applesauce.

Season records for this tree

  • 2011

    Harvest: 2nd week October