800-year-old sycamore tree

An interesting attraction of the Samur forest is the 800-year-old sycamore tree, which began to grow here in the 13th century. In the Middle Ages, one of the routes of the Great Silk Road ran along the coast of the Caspian Sea. At this time, the sycamore tree began to grow, which in our time has become a huge tree with a powerful crown. 

The Samur forest is dominated by deciduous trees: yews, hornbeams, oaks, poplars. However, sycamore trees are difficult to find in the forest. This sycamore tree grows in a place where trading caravans have been staying overnight for several centuries. It can be assumed that the sycamore seed fell out of some bag and sprouted in the moist soil of the Samur forest.  

Nowadays, the height of the plane tree is no more than 30 meters, but the trunk of the tree is impressive. Its diameter exceeds 4.5 meters, and its circumference reaches 14 meters. Only 8-10 people can grasp the trunk, holding hands. The base of the trunk of the 800-year-old plane tree is unified, but then it is divided into dozens of large and small trunks that grow as a whole.

On one side of the plane tree, you can climb to a height of 3 meters and sit on the sawn trunk. Here you can clearly see how small a person is, compared to the giant trunk of an 800-year-old sycamore tree. From here you can clearly see how some branches of the sycamore have grown together.

The sycamore tree is one of the main attractions in the Samur forest. It is marked on some maps and can be reached by a dirt road. The 800-year-old sycamore Tree is 5 km from the village of Primorskiy. If you are driving, then in front of the base of the Ministry of Emergency Situations you need to turn right and then drive along the Black Sand Beach along the fence of the Fish Farm.

Further, the road stretches along the Reservoirs of the Primorsky Fish Farm. The largest pond should be bypassed on the left. There are direction signs to the sycamore tree at some intersections, but not at all. The plane tree itself is located behind a barrier on a private territory. You can drive into it and park near the entrance by paying 100 rubles (1 euro). Then a hiking trail leads to the sycamore tree. There are tables near the parking lot and there is a small cafe.