The Empire apple tree (Malus domestica 'Empire') is a popular, reliable, and high-yielding, semi-dwarf cultivar developed by Cornell University in the 1940s (released 1966) from a cross between McIntosh and Red Delicious. Known for crisp, white-fleshed, sweet-tart, and aromatic apples with thick crimson skin, it thrives in USDA Zones 5-7, reaching 12-15 feet in height. 
Key Characteristics & Care
Fruit: Small/medium-sized, firm, and excellent for fresh eating, salads, and sauce.
Ripening/Harvest: September to October.
Growth Habit: Often forms a moderately sized, rounded, and, vigorous tree.
Pollination: Requires a different apple variety for pollination, such as Gala, Red Delicious, or Golden Delicious.
Soil/Sun: Thrives in full sun and well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0-6.5).
Maintenance: Generally easy to grow but requires regular, annual, late-winter pruning. 
Advantages & Considerations
Pros: Highly productive (sometimes needs thinning), decent disease resistance (especially to cedar-apple rust), and fruit hangs well on the tree, resisting drop.
Cons: Susceptible to apple scab and mildew. It is a high-maintenance tree that can be messy if fruit isn't harvested.
Storage: Fruit can store for up to 3 months.