Lake Sukko is located 6 kilometers from the beach of the Sukko resort. Tourists come here from all the surrounding resorts, as swamp cypresses unique to the Caucasian coast grow here. Thanks to them, the lake is often called Cypress Lake.
Lake Sukko is an artificial reservoir created in the 1930s, in a small mountain valley. It was designed as a pond with drinking water for the surrounding villages, but eventually became a tourist attraction in the North Caucasus, thanks to an experiment conducted by local biologists.
Together with the creation of Lake Sukko, they planted 32 swamp cypresses in the northern part of the reservoir. Now the age of these trees reaches almost a hundred years. Cypresses are widely distributed in the Caucasus and Crimea. Their pyramidal crowns are a recognizable symbol of all Black Sea resorts. However, swamp cypresses do not grow in Russia. Their homeland is the subtropical states of North America. They are common in swampy areas between the states of Louisiana and Florida.
The scientific name of this tree is Taxodium Two-rows. Swamp cypresses reach a height of 30 meters. The trunk circumference of an adult tree averages 2 meters, and the trunks of some trees in US nature reserves reach 5 meters. The lower part of the swamp cypress trunks is submerged in water, but they do not rot due to the release of a huge amount of essential oils from the trunk and bark.
All the necessary infrastructure for recreation has been created on Lake Sukko. Most tourists come here to see the cypresses, but you can also swim in the lake on a small beach, have lunch in a cafe. Nearby there are tourist locations: the African Village and the Lionheart Castle, where shows are held in the evenings.
There are boat and catamaran rental points on the lake. All visitors take boats to sail to the swamp cypresses. Many people sail between the trees. This has a negative impact on trees, especially if people try to climb them.
Very beautiful photos of swamp cypresses on Lake Sukko can be taken in autumn. At this time, the foliage of cypresses turns bright red. Sometimes the water in Lake Sukko dries up, and the lower part of the trunks is exposed. At this time, you can approach the cypresses on foot, although the bottom of the lake is covered with a layer of silt mud.
