The kaha, Castanopsis acuminatissima or Castanea acuminatissima, is an evergreen tree indigenus to south-east Asia and Papua. It is known by a diversity of common names over its place, including New Guinea Oak and White Oak. The kaha nut tree is a member of the Fagaceae family, genus Castanopsis with approximately 120 species, restricted to equatorial and subtropical eastern Asia.

The kaha, Castanea acuminatissima, is a predominant tree in the lower New Guinea montane forests, lying between 1000 and 2000 meters summit but also it could be found at lower elevation. It's a large canopy tree, up to 40 meters in height.

Leaves are simple, 9-12cm long and 2.5-3.5 cm wide, and formatted spirally along the branches. Flowers are 3 mm diameter, developing from a single point, white-yellowish, unisexual with male and female flowers on the same tree. The tree trunk of the kaha, Castanopsis acuminatissim, has a rough, greyish or pale brown bark and red under-bark.

Fruit matures in the early dry time of year. They are a calybium, the kind of cased nut distinctive of Fabaceae, about 22 mm long, green-yellow with an edible kernel. The kaha nuts are consumed raw or cooked. Propagation is by seeds but germination is rather slow.

Kaha, Castanopsis acuminatissim, Castanea acuminatissima

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