Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net and comprehensive income attributable to Pope Resources’ unitholders	$ 1,658	$ 1,970	$ 5,186	$ 1,371
Net and comprehensive income attributable to unvested restricted unitholders	(25)	(25)	(84)	(74)
Preferred share dividends - ORM Timber Funds	(8)	(8)	(23)	(23)
Net and comprehensive income for calculation of earnings per unit	$ 1,625	$ 1,937	$ 5,079	$ 1,274
Basic and diluted weighted average units outstanding (units)	4,324	4,312	4,325	4,312
Basic and diluted earnings per unit (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.38	$ 0.45	$ 1.17	$ 0.30