Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Rayonier’s investment in the JV is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Income from the JV is reported in the Forest Resources segment as operating income since the Company manages the forests, and its JV interest is an extension of the Company’s operations. A portion of Rayonier’s equity method investment is recorded at historical cost which generates a difference between the book value of the Company’s investment and its proportionate share of the JV’s net assets. The difference represents the Company’s unrecognized gain from RNZ’s sale of timberlands to the JV in 2005. The deferred gain is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated number of years the JV expects to harvest the timberlands.
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Operating income (loss) as presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income is equal to segment income (loss). Certain income (loss) items in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income are not allocated to segments. These items, which include gains (losses) from certain asset dispositions, interest income (expense), miscellaneous income (expense) and income tax (expense) benefit, are not considered by management to be part of segment operations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Policy Text Block]	Rayonier uses the following methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of its financial instruments: Cash and cash equivalents — The carrying amount is equal to fair market value. Debt — The fair value of fixed rate debt is based upon quoted market prices for debt with similar terms and maturities.
Consolidating Financial Statements [Policy Text Block]	The consolidating financial information below follows the same accounting policies as described in the consolidated financial statements, except for the use of the equity method of accounting to reflect ownership interests in wholly-owned subsidiaries, which are eliminated upon consolidation, and the allocation of certain expenses of Rayonier Inc. incurred for the benefit of its subsidiaries.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Equity Method Investments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Rayonier’s investment in the JV is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Income from the JV is reported in the Forest Resources segment as operating income since the Company manages the forests, and its JV interest is an extension of the Company’s operations. A portion of Rayonier’s equity method investment is recorded at historical cost which generates a difference between the book value of the Company’s investment and its proportionate share of the JV’s net assets. The difference represents the Company’s unrecognized gain from RNZ’s sale of timberlands to the JV in 2005. The deferred gain is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated number of years the JV expects to harvest the timberlands.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Operating income (loss) as presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income is equal to segment income (loss). Certain income (loss) items in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income are not allocated to segments. These items, which include gains (losses) from certain asset dispositions, interest income (expense), miscellaneous income (expense) and income tax (expense) benefit, are not considered by management to be part of segment operations.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Policy Text Block]

Rayonier uses the following methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of its financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents — The carrying amount is equal to fair market value.

Debt — The fair value of fixed rate debt is based upon quoted market prices for debt with similar terms and maturities.

Consolidating Financial Statements [Policy Text Block]

The consolidating financial information below follows the same accounting policies as described in the consolidated financial statements, except for the use of the equity method of accounting to reflect ownership interests in wholly-owned subsidiaries, which are eliminated upon consolidation, and the allocation of certain expenses of Rayonier Inc. incurred for the benefit of its subsidiaries.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for subsidiaries or other investments that are consolidated, including the accounting treatment for intercompany accounts or transactions and any noncontrolling interest.

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- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for the equity method of accounting for investments in common stock or other interests including unconsolidated subsidiaries, corporate joint ventures, noncontrolling interests in real estate ventures, limited partnerships, and limited liability companies. The accounting policy may include information such as: (1) initially recording an investment in the stock of an investee at cost; (2) adjusting the carrying amount of the investment to recognize the investor's share of the earnings or losses of the investee after the date of acquisition; and (3) adjustments to reflect the investor's share of changes in the investee's capital (dividends). This disclosure may also include a detailed description of the policy for determining the amount of equity method losses recognized after an investment has been reduced to zero as a result of previous losses, reasons for not using the equity method when the investor company owns 20 percent or more of the voting stock of the investee's company (including identification of the significant investee), reasons for using the equity method when the ownership percentage is less than 20 percent, and discussion of recognition of equity method losses when an investor's total investment in an investee includes, in addition to an investment in common stock, other investments such as preferred stock and loans to the investee. An entity also may describe how such investments are assessed for impairment.

+ References

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