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  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element pcl_HigherValueTimberlandsWhichAreExpectedToBeSoldAndOrDevelopedAcres had a mix of decimals attribute values: 0 -5.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2410403 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column '3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2008
PLUM CREEK TIMBER CO INC [Member]
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Mar. 31, 2011
PLUM CREEK TIMBER CO INC [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Jun. 30, 2010
PLUM CREEK TIMBER CO INC [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2009
PLUM CREEK TIMBER CO INC [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Jun. 30, 2010
PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS L P [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2009
PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS L P [Member]'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002500 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>pcl-20110630.xml</File>
    <File>pcl-20110630.xsd</File>
    <File>pcl-20110630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>pcl-20110630_def.xml</File>
    <File>pcl-20110630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>pcl-20110630_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
