Acres of land to which the right to explore for natural gas or minerals were sold during the period.

Name:	pcl_AcresOfLandRightsSold
Namespace Prefix:	pcl
Data Type:	num:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Proceeds received during the period from the sale of rights to explore for natural gas or minerals on owned land.

+ Details

Name:	pcl_ProceedsFromSaleOfLandUseRights
Namespace Prefix:	pcl
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Unallocated corporate depreciation

+ Details

Name:	pcl_UnallocatedCorporateDepreciation
Namespace Prefix:	pcl
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents revenue received, but not recognized for financial reporting purposes, which is anticipated to be recognized for financial reporting purposes more than one year from the reporting date or one operating cycle, if longer. Such deferred revenue may consist of and include amounts paid in advance by lessees and purchase price adjustments for leases acquired in a business combination or other transaction and is net of the accumulated amortization of such amounts that to date have been recognized in revenue.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredRevenueLeasesNetNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Gain (loss) related to the termination of a contract between the parties. The termination may be due to many causes including early termination of a lease by a lessee, a breach of contract by one party, or a failure to perform.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnContractTermination
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the amount of gain (loss) on sale of properties during the reporting period net of the applicable income taxes realized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 3
-Section 15
-Paragraph a
-Subparagraph 1(ii)

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 974
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-15.(a)(1)(ii))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6875705&loc=d3e641549-123027

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertiesNetOfApplicableIncomeTaxes
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The difference between the sale price or salvage price and the book value of a property, plant, and equipment asset that was sold or retired during the reporting period. This element refers to the gain (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 28
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertyPlantEquipment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net proceeds or assets obtained in excess of (less than) the net carrying amount of assets recorded, or assets distributed and liabilities assumed less than (in excess of) estimated litigation liability extinguished, in settlement of a litigation matter. Represents (for other than an insurance entity in its normal claims settlement process), the amount of income (expense) recognized in the period to settle pending or threatened litigation and insurance claims.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 5
-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossRelatedToLitigationSettlement
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Segment Information (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010 Natural Gas West Virginia [Member] PLUM CREEK TIMBER CO INC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Natural Gas West Virginia [Member] PLUM CREEK TIMBER CO INC [Member]	Mar. 31, 2010 Natural Gas West Virginia [Member] PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS L P [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Natural Gas West Virginia [Member] PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS L P [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 PLUM CREEK TIMBER CO INC [Member]	Mar. 31, 2011 PLUM CREEK TIMBER CO INC [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 PLUM CREEK TIMBER CO INC [Member]	Mar. 31, 2010 PLUM CREEK TIMBER CO INC [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 PLUM CREEK TIMBER CO INC [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 PLUM CREEK TIMBER CO INC [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS L P [Member]	Mar. 31, 2011 PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS L P [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS L P [Member]	Mar. 31, 2010 PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS L P [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS L P [Member]	Jun. 30, 2010 PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS L P [Member]
Gain on settlement of a dispute that related to certain mineral rights								$ 2						$ 2
Gain on contract termination										5						5
Proceeds from sale of land use rights			21		21
Acres of land rights sold			110,000		110,000
Gain on Sale of Properties, net of tax	0	11	11		11						0	11					0	11
Deferred revenue			10	12	10	12
Unallocated corporate depreciation							1		1		2	2	1		1		2	2
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment									$ 2						$ 2