BUSINESS SEGMENTS - Sales, Revenues and Contribution (Charge) to Earnings (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Contribution (charge) to earnings	$ 661	$ 546	$ (357)
Segment, Continuing Operations
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Sales to and revenues from unaffiliated customers	6,216	5,954	5,068
Intersegment sales	0	0	0
Contribution (charge) to earnings	641	532	(289)
Segment, Continuing Operations | Timberlands
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Sales to and revenues from unaffiliated customers	1,044	874	714
Intersegment sales	646	603	537
Contribution (charge) to earnings	485	282	338
Segment, Continuing Operations | Wood Products
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Sales to and revenues from unaffiliated customers	2,276	2,224	1,922
Intersegment sales	80	63	55
Contribution (charge) to earnings	(245)	(318)	(686)
Segment, Continuing Operations | Cellulose Fibers
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Sales to and revenues from unaffiliated customers	2,058	1,911	1,511
Intersegment sales	0	0	0
Contribution (charge) to earnings	435	412	444
Segment, Continuing Operations | Real Estate
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Sales to and revenues from unaffiliated customers	838	923	904
Intersegment sales	0	0	0
Contribution (charge) to earnings	58	91	(299)
Segment, Continuing Operations | Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Sales to and revenues from unaffiliated customers	0	22	17
Intersegment sales	0	3	3
Contribution (charge) to earnings	(92)	65	(86)
Segment, Continuing Operations | Intersegment eliminations
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Sales to and revenues from unaffiliated customers	0	0	0
Intersegment sales	(726)	(669)	(595)
Contribution (charge) to earnings	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0