Timber and Timberlands (Schedule of Future Payments Due Under Timber Cutting Contracts) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Timber And Timberlands [Abstract]
2018	$ 11,280
2019	2,730
2020	1,085
2021	5,370
2022	281
Total	$ 20,746

Payments under timber cutting contracts, due next twelve months

No definition available.

Name:	pch_PaymentsUnderTimberCuttingContractsDueNextTwelveMonths
Namespace Prefix:	pch_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant