Employee Benefit Plans Defined Benefit Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plans, General Information	The Company has four qualified non-contributory defined benefit pension plans covering a significant majority of its employees
Number of Qualified Defined Benefit Plans	4
Defined Benefit Plan, Unfunded Plan	an unfunded plan that provides benefits in excess of amounts allowable under current tax law in the qualified plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Other Information	The Company closed enrollment in its pension plans to salaried employees hired after December 31, 2005, to Fernandina hourly employees hired after April 30, 2006, to Jesup hourly employees hired after March 4, 2009 and to Wood Products hourly employees hired after February 28, 2011. Currently, all plans are closed to new participants.
Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Description of Settlements and Curtailments	The Company sold its Wood Products business in March 2013. As a result of the sale, all employees covered by the Wood Products defined benefit pension plan are considered terminated employees. Amendments to the plan in June 2013 resulted in all such employees automatically vesting in the plan. Additionally, a one-time lump sum distribution was offered to terminated Wood Products plan participants or their beneficiaries.
Settlement Payment Amount	$ 3,000,000
Effect of Plan Amendment on Benefit Obligation	2,800,000
Unrecognized gain in other comprehensive income, before tax	0	0	0
Amortization of Plan Amendment Gain	0	0	0
Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member] | Income from Discontinued Operations, net [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Recognized Loss Due to Settlements, Net of Tax	500,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Description of Plan Amendment	the Company amended its postretirement medical plan for active and retired hourly employees at the Jesup mill by placing a limit on Rayonier’s contributions toward retiree medical coverage. The change was accounted for as a negative plan amendment, which resulted in a reduction to the retiree medical liability.
Unrecognized gain in other comprehensive income, before tax	(3,372,000)	0	0
Unrecognized gain in other comprehensive income, net of tax	(2,200,000)
Amortization Period for Plan Amendment	13 years 10 months 24 days
Amortization of Plan Amendment Gain	$ 105,000	$ 55,000	$ 0