PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - Property and Equipment Carrying Value and Estimated Service Lives (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Buildings and Improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated service lives, minimum	10
Estimated service lives, maximum	40
Timberlands
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated service lives, maximum	15
Wood Products
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated service lives, maximum	20
Primary pulp mills
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated service lives, maximum	25
Forest Products
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Land	$ 142	$ 162
Buildings and improvements	1,405	1,572
Machinery and equipment	7,036	7,372
Roads	537	551
Other	331	344
Total cost	9,451	10,001
Allowance for depreciation and amortization	(6,550)	(6,784)
Property and equipment, net	2,901	3,217
Depreciation expense, excluding discontinued operations	$ 361	$ 391	$ 416
Forest Products | Buildings and Improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated service lives, minimum	10
Estimated service lives, maximum	40
Forest Products | Machinery and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated service lives, minimum	2
Estimated service lives, maximum	25
Forest Products | Roads
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated service lives, minimum	10
Estimated service lives, maximum	20
Forest Products | Other
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated service lives, minimum	3
Estimated service lives, maximum	10