Certain Balance Sheet Components (Schedule of Timber and Timberlands) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Timber And Timberlands [Abstract]
Timber and timberlands	$ 585,315	$ 572,273
Logging roads	72,231	69,583
Total timber and timberlands, net	$ 657,546	$ 641,856

Amount after accumulated depreciation and depletion of forest crops and land devoted primarily to the growth and harvest of forest crops for commercial purposes.

No definition available.

Name:	pch_TimberAndTimberlandsNet
Namespace Prefix:	pch_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant