The name 'Wayfarers' originates from the herbalist Gerald, who in 1597 encountered a hardy tree growing on the chalk of the South Downs between the English Channel and the Thames Valley. He therefore named it the Wayfarer tree or Viburnam Lantana. It's common name was 'hoar withy' – hoar from it's downy white leaves, and withy from the pliancy of it's twigs. This small tree may be readily identified by the leaves, with finely toothed margins, which are clad in a white woolly covering of fine hairs. This downy covering extends over twigs and buds and helps to restrict the loss of moisture. The Wayfarer flourishes on the very dry soils of the chalk. Its twigs are exceptionally tough and flexible, easily bent but very hard to break. Its berries have a sour taste that attract only the Down land birds.