Stock Based Compensation - Schedule of Restricted Stock Granted (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Oct. 24, 2013		Oct. 25, 2013
Restricted Stock, Time-Based
Stockholders Equity and Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares Paid for Tax Withholding for Share Based Compensation	3,710
Restricted Stock, Time-Based | Amended 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Stockholders Equity and Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock granted during period (in shares)				54,000	[1]
Weighted average price of restricted shares granted ( dollars per share)		$ 13.57	[1],[2]
Restricted Stock, Performance-Based | Amended 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Stockholders Equity and Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock granted during period (in shares)				51,000	[3]
Weighted average price of restricted shares granted ( dollars per share)		$ 13.55	[2],[3]
IPO RSUs
Stockholders Equity and Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares Paid for Tax Withholding for Share Based Compensation				84,261
IPO RSUs | Amended 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Stockholders Equity and Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock granted during period (in shares)				130,400	[4]
Weighted average price of restricted shares granted ( dollars per share)		$ 13.57	[2],[4]
Executive Officer | Restricted Stock, Time-Based | Amended 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Stockholders Equity and Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock granted during period (in shares)				34,000	[1]
Executive Officer | Restricted Stock, Performance-Based | Amended 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Stockholders Equity and Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock granted during period (in shares)				51,000	[3]
Executive Officer | IPO RSUs | Amended 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Stockholders Equity and Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock granted during period (in shares)				91,000	[4]
Non-executives | Restricted Stock, Time-Based | Amended 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Stockholders Equity and Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock granted during period (in shares)				20,000	[1]
Non-executives | Restricted Stock, Performance-Based | Amended 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Stockholders Equity and Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock granted during period (in shares)				0	[3]
Non-executives | IPO RSUs | Amended 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Stockholders Equity and Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock granted during period (in shares)				39,400	[4]

[1] The restricted shares vest in equal annual installments on each of December 31, 2014, December 31, 2015, December 31, 2016, and December 31, 2017, subject to the an employee’ continued employment with CatchMark Timber Trust on each vesting date, or on the earlier occurrence of a change in control or the employee’s termination of employment (i) by CatchMark Timber Trust without cause, (ii) by the employee for good reason, or (iii) by reason of the executive’s death or disability.

[2] The fair value of each share granted is equal to the share price of CatchMark Timber Trust's common stock on the date of grant.

[3] The number of restricted shares earned will be based upon achievement of performance goals for 2014 as established by the compensation committee of the board of directors, and the earned shares will vest December 31, 2017, subject to the executive's continued employment with CatchMark Timber Trust on that date. In the event of a change in control, these shares will vest as of the date of the change in control.

[4] The restricted stock units vested and converted to shares of Class A common stock upon Listing, 84,261 shares were issued net of shares surrendered upon vesting to satisfy required minimum tax withholding obligations.