Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Shares	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)	Non-controlling Interest
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		126,257,870
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 1,755,243	$ 692,100	$ 1,015,209	$ (46,139)	$ 94,073
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	97,846		99,337		(1,491)
Dividends	(256,861)		(256,861)
Contribution to Rayonier Advanced Materials	19,130	$ (301)	(61,318)	80,749
Adjustments to Rayonier Advanced Materials	(8,226)		(5,670)	(2,556)
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans, (in shares)		561,701
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans	5,579	$ 5,579
Stock-based compensation	7,869	7,869
Tax deficiency on stock-based compensation	(791)	$ (791)
Repurchase of common shares, (in shares)		(46,474)
Repurchase of common shares	(1,858)	$ (1,858)
Actuarial change and amortization of pension and postretirement plan liabilities	(24,147)			(24,147)
Noncontrolling interest redemption of shares	(931)				(931)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(15,847)			(11,526)	(4,321)
Joint venture cash flow hedges	(1,855)			(1,206)	(649)
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		126,773,097
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2014	1,575,151	$ 702,598	790,697	(4,825)	86,681
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	43,941		46,165		(2,224)
Dividends	(124,943)		(124,943)
Adjustments to Rayonier Advanced Materials	841		841
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans, (in shares)		205,219
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans	2,117	$ 2,117
Stock-based compensation	4,484	4,484
Tax deficiency on stock-based compensation	(250)	$ (250)
Repurchase of common shares, (in shares)		(4,208,099)
Repurchase of common shares	(100,122)	$ (122)	(100,000)
Actuarial change and amortization of pension and postretirement plan liabilities	2,933			2,933
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(32,451)			(21,567)	(10,884)
Joint venture cash flow hedges	(9,961)			(10,044)	83
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		122,770,217
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2015	1,361,740	$ 708,827	612,760	(33,503)	73,656
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	217,770		211,972		5,798
Dividends	(123,155)		(123,155)
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans, (in shares)		179,743
Issuance of shares under incentive stock plans	1,576	$ 1,576
Stock-based compensation	5,136	$ 5,136
Repurchase of common shares, (in shares)		(45,592)
Repurchase of common shares	(868)	$ (178)	(690)
Actuarial change and amortization of pension and postretirement plan liabilities	5,533			5,533
Foreign currency translation adjustment	6,322			2,780	3,542
Joint venture cash flow hedges	22,822			22,608	214
Recapitalization of New Zealand Joint Venture	0	(5,398)		3,438	1,960
Recapitalization costs	(124)	$ (96)			(28)
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		122,904,368
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 1,496,752	$ 709,867	$ 700,887	$ 856	$ 85,142