RAYONIER INC
S-3/A, 1998-08-14
LUMBER & WOOD PRODUCTS (NO FURNITURE)
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON AUGUST 14, 1998.
    
 
   
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-52857
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                               ------------------
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
    
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                               ------------------
                                 RAYONIER INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
                               ------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
                NORTH CAROLINA                                     13-2607329
           (STATE OF INCORPORATION)                   (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
</TABLE>
 
              1177 SUMMER STREET, STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06905-5529
                    (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                  REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER: 203-348-7000
                               ------------------
 
                             JOHN B. CANNING, ESQ.
               CORPORATE SECRETARY AND ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL
                                 RAYONIER INC.
              1177 SUMMER STREET, STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06905-5529
                    (NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                     AGENT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER: 203-348-7000
 
                                   COPIES TO
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
             MARTIN L. BUDD, ESQ.                              JOHN W. WHITE, ESQ.
              DAY, BERRY & HOWARD                            CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE
             ONE CANTERBURY GREEN                               825 EIGHTH AVENUE
            STAMFORD, CT 06901-2047                          NEW YORK, NY 10019-7415
</TABLE>
 
    APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
 
    If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
 
    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
 
    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
 
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [X]
                               ------------------
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                    <C>                     <C>                     <C>
                                                                                   PROPOSED MAXIMUM
      TITLE OF EACH CLASS             AMOUNT BEING         PROPOSED MAXIMUM       AGGREGATE OFFERING        AMOUNT OF
OF SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED         REGISTERED       OFFERING PRICE PER UNIT          PRICE          REGISTRATION FEE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt Securities................     $100,000,000(1)              100%               $100,000,000(2)          $29,500
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
(1) If any Debt Securities are issued at original issue discount, such greater
    amount as may result in the initial offering prices for Debt Securities
    aggregating $100,000,000.
 
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
 
(3) The amount of securities eligible to be sold under the prior Registration
    Statement is $100,000,000 for which a filing fee of $34,485 was paid.
                               ------------------
 
   
    Pursuant to Rule 429 of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Securities Act of 1933, the Prospectus included in this Registration Statement
is a combined Prospectus which also relates to Registration Statement No.
33-52855, previously filed by the registrant on Form S-3. This Registration
Statement also constitutes Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 with respect to the
registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-52855, and such Post-Effective
Amendment shall hereafter become effective concurrently with the effectiveness
of this Registration Statement in accordance with Section 8(c) of the Securities
Act of 1933.
    
                               ------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
PROSPECTUS
 
$200,000,000
RAYONIER INC.
DEBT SECURITIES
- ------------------------
 
Rayonier Inc. ("Rayonier" or the "Company") may offer or issue from time to time
its unsecured debt securities consisting of notes, debentures or other evidences
of indebtedness (the "Debt Securities") in an aggregate principal amount of up
to $200,000,000 (or, if Debt Securities are issued at an original issue
discount, such greater amount as shall result in aggregate proceeds of
$200,000,000 to the Company). The Debt Securities may be offered as separate
series in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined in light of market
conditions at the time of sale and set forth in an accompanying supplement to
this Prospectus (each a "Prospectus Supplement").
 
The terms of each series of Debt Securities, including, where applicable, the
specific designation, aggregate principal amount, authorized denominations,
maturity, interest rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) and time or
times of payment of any interest, any terms for optional or mandatory redemption
or payment of additional amounts or any sinking fund provisions, any initial
public offering price, the proceeds to the Company and any other specific terms
in connection with the offering and sale of such series (the "Offered
Securities") will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement.
 
The Debt Securities may be sold directly by the Company, through agents
designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers. See "Plan
of Distribution." If agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of
the Debt Securities, the names of such agents, dealers or underwriters and any
applicable agents' commissions, dealers' purchase price or underwriters'
discounts will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement. The net proceeds to the
Company from such sale will also be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement.
 
Each Prospectus Supplement will state whether the Offered Securities will be
listed on any securities exchange. If the Offered Securities are not listed on
any national securities exchange, there can be no assurance that there will be a
secondary market for the Offered Securities.
 
The Debt Securities may be issued only in registered form, and may be issued in
temporary or definitive global form.
 
                            ------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                            ------------------------
 
This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Debt Securities unless
accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.
 
            , 1998
<PAGE>   3
 
     NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE
OFFERING MADE HEREBY, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY
UNDERWRITER, AGENT OR DEALER. THIS PROSPECTUS AND A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DO NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE
SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS
UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE
DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND/OR A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE
HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE
INFORMATION HEREIN OR THEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE
HEREOF.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and in accordance therewith files
reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"). Reports, proxy statements and other information
filed by the Company with the Commission can be inspected and copied at the
public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following
Regional Offices of the Commission: 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York,
New York 10048; and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661-2511. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference
Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission maintains a Web site at
http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding registrants, including the Company, that file
electronically with the Commission.
 
     This Prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3
(the "Registration Statement," which term shall include any amendments thereto)
filed by the Company with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
"Securities Act"), relating to the securities offered hereby. This Prospectus
omits certain of the information contained in the Registration Statement, and
reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement and to the exhibits
relating thereto for further information with respect to the Company and the
securities offered hereby. Any statements contained herein concerning the
provisions of any document are not necessarily complete and in each instance
reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission. Each such
statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     There is hereby incorporated in this Prospectus by reference the following
documents filed by Rayonier with the Commission under the Exchange Act:
 
          (a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997;
     and
 
   
          (b) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31,
     1998 and June 30, 1998.
    
 
     All documents filed by Rayonier pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to
the termination of the offering of the Debt Securities offered hereby shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part
hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, or in
the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, or in an
accompanying Prospectus Supplement, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     Rayonier will furnish without charge to each person to whom a copy of this
Prospectus is delivered, upon request, a copy of any of the documents
incorporated herein by reference, other than exhibits to such documents (unless
such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in such documents).
Requests should be directed to Corporate Secretary, Rayonier Inc., 1177 Summer
Street, Stamford, Connecticut 06905-5529. Telephone requests may be directed to
(203) 348-7000.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
                                 RAYONIER INC.
 
     Rayonier Inc. (Rayonier or the Company), including its subsidiaries, is a
leading international forest products company primarily engaged in the trading,
merchandising and manufacturing of logs, timber and wood products, and in the
production and sale of high-value-added specialty pulps. Rayonier owns, leases,
manages or controls approximately 1.5 million acres of timberland in the United
States and New Zealand. In addition, the Company operates two pulp mills and
three lumber manufacturing facilities in the United States and, as of October 1,
1997, a medium density fiberboard plant in New Zealand.
 
     Rayonier was founded as Rainier Pulp and Paper Company in Shelton, WA in
1926. In 1937, the Company became "Rayonier Incorporated", a corporation whose
stock was publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) until Rayonier
became a wholly owned subsidiary of ITT Industries, Inc. (ITT), then known as
ITT Corporation, in 1968. On February 28, 1994, Rayonier again became an
independent company when ITT distributed all of the Common Shares of Rayonier to
ITT stockholders. Rayonier shares are publicly traded on the NYSE under the
symbol RYN.
 
     Rayonier is a North Carolina corporation with its executive offices at 1177
Summer Street, Stamford, CT 06905-5529. Its telephone number is (203) 348-7000.
 
     Rayonier operates in two major business segments, Timber and Wood Products
and Specialty Pulp Products. In 1997, Timber and Wood Products accounted for 50
percent of sales and Specialty Pulp Products accounted for 47 percent of sales.
The remaining 3 percent of sales (classified in Dispositions) were made from
inventory of the Company's Port Angeles, WA, pulp mill, which was closed on
February 28, 1997. With customers in 70 countries, 49 percent of Rayonier's 1997
sales of $1.104 billion were made to customer outside of the United States.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to be received by the Company from the sale of the Debt
Securities will be used as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
     The following table sets forth the Company's consolidated ratios of
earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 SIX MONTHS              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
    ENDED       -----------------------------------------
JUNE 30, 1998   1997     1996     1995     1994     1993
- -------------   -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
<S>             <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
    3.96x       5.36x    1.49x    7.55x    5.34x    5.25x
</TABLE>
    
 
     For the purpose of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
earnings consist of income (loss) from continuing operations adjusted to
eliminate minority interest in consolidated partnerships, amortization of
capitalized interest, the provision for income taxes and fixed charges. Fixed
charges comprise interest on long-term and short-term debt, amortization of debt
discount and debt expense, and the portion of rentals deemed representative of
the interest factor.
 
                       DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
 
     The Debt Securities will be issued under an indenture, dated as of
September 1, 1992, as supplemented and amended, between Rayonier and Bankers
Trust Company, a New York banking corporation, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), a
copy of which indenture is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of
which this Prospectus is a part. The statements under this caption are brief
summaries of certain provisions of the Indenture, do not purport to be complete
and are subject to, and
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the
Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms. Whenever
particular sections of the Indenture or terms that are defined in the Indenture
are referred to herein or in a Prospectus Supplement, it is intended that such
sections or defined terms shall be incorporated by reference herein or therein,
as the case may be.
 
     The Debt Securities may be issued by Rayonier from time to time in one or
more series. The particular terms of each series of Offered Securities will be
described in the Prospectus Supplement or Prospectus Supplements relating to
such series.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Debt Securities offered pursuant to this Prospectus will be limited to
$200,000,000 aggregate principal amount (or, if any Debt Securities are issued
at original issue discount, such greater amount as shall result in proceeds of
$200,000,000 to the Company). Debt Securities may be issued under the Indenture
from time to time in separate series up to the aggregate amount from time to
time authorized by the Company for each series.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement or Prospectus Supplements will
describe the following terms of the Offered Securities: (1) the title of the
Offered Securities; (2) the aggregate principal amount of the Offered
Securities; (3) the date on which the principal of the Offered Securities will
mature; (4) the rate or rates (or, if subject to adjustment, the manner for
determining such rates) at which the Offered Securities shall bear interest, if
any, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue, the Interest
Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable, and the Regular
Record Date for any interest payable on any Interest Payment Date; (5) the place
or places where, subject to the terms of the Indenture as described below under
"Payment and Paying Agents," the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest
on the Offered Securities will be payable and where, subject to the terms of the
Indenture as described below under "Denominations, Registration and Transfer,"
the Offered Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange
and the place or places where notices and demands to or upon the Company in
respect of the Offered Securities and the Indenture may be made ("Place of
Payment"); (6) any period or periods within or date or dates on which, the price
or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Offered Securities
may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company; (7) the
obligation or the right, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay the
Offered Securities prior to the Stated Maturity pursuant to any sinking fund,
amortization or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof or of
the Company and the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which,
the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Offered
Securities shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant
to such obligation; (8) the denominations in which any Offered Securities shall
be issued if other than $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof; (9) any
addition to, or modification or deletion of, any Event of Default or any
covenant of the Company specified in the Indenture with respect to the Offered
Securities; (10) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the
principal amount of the Offered Securities which shall be payable upon
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to the Indenture;
(11) any index or indices used to determine the amount of payments of principal
of and premium, if any, on the Offered Securities and the manner in which such
amounts will be determined; and (12) any other terms of the Offered Securities
not inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture. (Section 3.01.)
 
DENOMINATIONS, REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER
 
     Unless otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement for the Offered
Securities, the Debt Securities will be issuable only in registered form without
coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. Debt
Securities of any series will be exchangeable for other Debt Securities of the
same issue and series, of any authorized denominations, of a like aggregate
principal amount, of the same Original Issue Date and Stated Maturity and
bearing the same interest rate. (Section 3.05.)
 
     Debt Securities may be presented for exchange as provided above, and may be
presented for registration of transfer (with the form of transfer endorsed
thereon, or a satisfactory written instrument of
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
transfer, duly executed), at the office of the Securities Registrar or at the
office of any transfer agent designated by the Company for such purpose with
respect to any series of Debt Securities and referred to in an applicable
Prospectus Supplement, without service charge and upon payment of any taxes and
other governmental charges as described in the Indenture. The Company has
appointed the Trustee as Securities Registrar. (Section 3.05.) If a Prospectus
Supplement refers to any transfer agents (in addition to the Securities
Registrar) initially designated by the Company with respect to any series of
Debt Securities, the Company may at any time rescind the designation of any such
transfer agent or approve a change in the location through which any such
transfer agent acts, provided that the Company maintains a transfer agent in
each Place of Payment for such series. The Company may at any time designate
additional transfer agents with respect to any series of Debt Securities.
(Section 10.02.)
 
     In the event of any redemption, neither the Company nor the Trustee shall
be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Debt Securities
of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days
before the day of selection for redemption of Debt Securities of that series and
ending at the close of business on the day of mailing of the relevant notice of
redemption or (ii) transfer or exchange any Debt Security so selected for
redemption, except, in the case of any Debt Security being redeemed in part, any
portion thereof not to be redeemed. (Section 3.05.)
 
GLOBAL SECURITIES
 
     The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more global securities (a "Global Security") that will be
deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary (the "Depositary") identified in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. Global Securities may be
issued only in fully registered form and in either temporary or permanent form.
Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual Debt
Securities represented thereby, a Global Security may not be transferred except
as a whole by the Depositary for such Global Security to a nominee of such
Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another
nominee of such Depositary or by the Depositary or any nominee to a successor
Depositary or any nominee of such successor.
 
     The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series
of Debt Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to
such series. The Company anticipates that the following provisions will
generally apply to depositary arrangements.
 
     Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global
Security or its nominee will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer
system, the respective principal amounts of the individual Debt Securities
represented by such Global Security to the accounts of persons that have
accounts with such Depositary ("Participants"). Such accounts shall be
designated by the agents, underwriters or dealers with respect to such Debt
Securities or by the Company if such Debt Securities are offered and sold
directly by the Company. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security
will be limited to Participants or persons that may hold interests through
Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in such Global Security will be
shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through,
records maintained by the applicable Depositary or its nominee (with respect to
interests of Participants) and the records of Participants (with respect to
interests of persons who hold through Participants). The laws of some states
require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such
securities in definitive form. Such limits and such laws may impair the ability
to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Security.
 
     So long as the Depositary for a Global Security, or its nominee, is the
registered owner of such Global Security, such Depositary or such nominee, as
the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Debt
Securities represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the
Indenture governing such Debt Securities. Except as provided below, owners of
beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have any of
the individual Debt Securities of the series represented by such Global Security
registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical
delivery of any such Debt Securities of such series in definitive form and will
not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture governing
such Debt Securities.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
     Payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on individual
Debt Securities represented by a Global Security registered in the name of a
Depositary or its nominee will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the
case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Security representing such
Debt Securities. None of the Company, the Trustee for such Debt Securities, any
Paying Agent, or the Securities Registrar for such Debt Securities will have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments made on account of beneficial ownership interest of the Global Security
for such Debt Securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
 
     The Company expects that the Depositary for a series of Debt Securities or
its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest in
respect of a permanent Global Security representing any of such Debt Securities,
immediately will credit Participants' accounts with payments in amounts
proportionate to their respective beneficial interest in the principal amount of
such Global Security for such Debt Securities as shown on the records of such
Depositary or its nominee. The Company also expects that payments by
Participants to owners of beneficial interests in such Global Security held
through such Participants will be governed by standing instructions and
customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of
customers in bearer form or registered in "street name." Such payments will be
the responsibility of such Participants.
 
     If a Depositary for a series of Debt Securities is at any time unwilling,
unable or ineligible to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not
appointed by the Company within 90 days, the Company will issue individual Debt
Securities of such series in exchange for the Global Security representing such
series of Debt Securities. In addition, the Company may at any time and in its
sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to such Debt Securities, determine not to have any Debt
Securities of such series represented by one or more Global Securities and, in
such event, will issue individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange for
the Global Security or Securities representing such series of Debt Securities.
Further, if the Company so specifies with respect to the Debt Securities of a
series, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security representing Debt
Securities of such series may, on terms acceptable to the Company, the Trustee
and the Depositary for such Global Security, receive individual Debt Securities
of such series in exchange for such beneficial interests, subject to any
limitations described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Debt
Securities. In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global
Security will be entitled to physical delivery of individual Debt Securities of
the series represented by such Global Security equal in principal amount to such
beneficial interest and to have such Debt Securities registered in its name.
Individual Debt Securities of such series so issued will be issued in
denominations, unless otherwise specified by the Company, of $1,000 and integral
multiples thereof.
 
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of principal of (and premium, if any) and any interest on Debt Securities will
be made at the office of the Trustee in the City of New York or at the office of
such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as the Company may designate from time to
time in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, except that at the option of the
Company payment of any interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address
of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Securities
Register or (ii) by transfer to an account maintained by the Person entitled
thereto as specified in the Securities Register, provided that proper transfer
instructions have been received by the Trustee or any Paying Agent, as the case
may be, by the Regular Record Date. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable
Prospectus Supplement, payment of any interest on Debt Securities will be made
to the Person in whose name such Debt Security is registered at the close of
business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, except in the case of
Defaulted Interest. The Company may at any time designate additional Paying
Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent; however, the Company will
at all times be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for
each series of Debt Securities. (Sections 3.01, 3.07 and 10.02.)
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
     Any moneys deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by
the Company in trust, for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any)
or interest on any Debt Security and remaining unclaimed for two years after
such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable
shall, at the request of the Company, be repaid to the Company, and the Holder
of such Debt Security shall thereafter look, as a general unsecured creditor,
only to the Company for payment thereof. (Section 10.03.)
 
REDEMPTION
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, Debt
Securities will not be subject to any sinking fund and will not be redeemable
prior to their Stated Maturity.
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
 
     The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation
or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an
entirety to any Person, and no Person shall consolidate with or merge into the
Company or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as
an entirety to the Company, unless (i) in case the Company consolidates with or
merges into another corporation or conveys, transfers or leases its properties
and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the successor corporation
is organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state or the
District of Columbia, and such successor corporation expressly assumes the
Company's obligations on the Debt Securities issued under the Indenture; (ii)
immediately after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default, and no event
which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default,
shall have happened and be continuing; and (iii) certain other conditions as
prescribed in the Indenture are met.
 
     The Indenture provides that in the event of any conveyance, transfer or
lease in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Company shall be
discharged from all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Debt
Securities and may be dissolved and liquidated.
 
     The Indenture also provides that if, upon any consolidation or merger of
the Company with or into any other corporation, or upon any conveyance, transfer
or lease of its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any
Person, any of the property or assets of the Company or of any Restricted
Subsidiary would thereupon become subject to any mortgage, lien or pledge, the
Company, prior to or simultaneously with such consolidation, merger, conveyance,
transfer or lease will secure the Debt Securities equally and ratably with any
other obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary then entitled
thereto, by a direct lien on all such property and assets prior to all liens
other than any theretofore existing thereon.
 
COVENANTS
 
     The Indenture contains covenants including, among others, the following:
 
Limitations on Liens
 
     The Indenture provides that the Company will not, nor will it permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, issue, assume or guarantee any indebtedness for money
borrowed if such indebtedness is secured by a Lien upon any Principal Property
of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or on any shares of stock of any
Restricted Subsidiary (whether such Principal Property or shares of stock are
now owned or hereafter acquired) without in any such case effectively providing
that the Debt Securities of any series Outstanding which are entitled to the
benefits of such provision of the Indenture (together with, if the Company shall
so determine, any other Indebtedness of or guaranteed by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary entitled thereto, subject to applicable priority of
payment) shall be secured equally and ratably with or prior to such
Indebtedness, except that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
          (i) Liens on property or shares of stock of any corporation existing
     at the time such corporation becomes a Restricted Subsidiary;
 
          (ii) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition thereof, or
     Liens on property which secure the payment of the purchase price of such
     property, or Liens on property which secure indebtedness incurred or
     guaranteed for the purpose of financing the purchase price of such property
     or the construction of such property (including improvements to existing
     property), which indebtedness is incurred or guaranteed within 180 days
     after the latest of such acquisition or completion of such construction or
     commencement of operation of such property; provided that such Lien shall
     not extend to or cover any property of the Company or any Restricted
     Subsidiary other than such property hereafter acquired or previously
     unimproved property theretofore owned and the principal amount of Funded
     Debt secured by such Lien shall not exceed (a) in the case of any
     timberlands or pollution control facility, 100% of the lesser of (i) the
     cost of such acquisition, construction or improvement of such property to
     the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) the fair value of such
     acquisition, construction or improvement of such property at the time of
     such acquisition, construction or improvement, and (b) in the case of any
     other type of property, 75% of the lesser of (i) the cost of such
     acquisition, construction or improvement of such property to the Company or
     such Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) the fair value of such acquisition,
     construction or improvement of such property at the time of such
     acquisition, construction or improvement;
 
          (iii) Liens securing indebtedness owing by any Restricted Subsidiary
     to the Company or a wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary;
 
          (iv) Liens on property of a corporation existing at the time such
     corporation is merged into or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted
     Subsidiary or at the time of a purchase, lease or other acquisition of the
     properties of a corporation or other Person as an entirety or substantially
     as an entirety by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;
 
          (v) Liens on property of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in
     favor of the United States of America or any State thereof or any agency,
     instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, or in favor of any other
     country, or any political subdivision thereof, to secure any indebtedness
     incurred or guaranteed for the purpose of financing all or any part of the
     purchase price or the cost of construction of the property subject to such
     Liens within 180 days after the latest of the acquisition, completion of
     construction or commencement of operation of such property; and
 
          (vi) any extension renewal or replacement (or successive extensions,
     renewals or replacements), in whole or in part, of any Lien referred to in
     the foregoing clauses (i) to (v), inclusive, provided however, that the
     principal amount of such indebtedness secured thereby shall not exceed the
     principal amount of such indebtedness so secured at the time of such
     extension, renewal or replacement, and that such extension, renewal or
     replacement shall be limited to all or a part of the property which secured
     the Lien so extended, renewed or replaced (plus improvements and
     construction on such property).
 
     Notwithstanding the above, the Company and one or more Restricted
Subsidiaries may, without securing the Debt Securities, issue, assume or
guarantee secured indebtedness which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing
restrictions, provided that after giving effect thereto the aggregate amount of
such indebtedness issued pursuant to such exception at such time and the
aggregate Value of Sale and Lease-Back Transactions (other than those in
connection with which the Company has voluntarily retired Funded Debt in
compliance with the provisions described below under "Limitation on Sale and
Lease-Back Transactions") does not at any one time exceed 10% of Consolidated
Net Tangible Assets. In computing the aggregate amount of indebtedness
outstanding for purposes of the foregoing sentence, there shall not be included
in the calculation any indebtedness issued, assumed or guaranteed pursuant to
clauses (i) through (vi) above. (Section 10.08.)
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions
 
     The Indenture provides that the Company shall not and, shall not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction with
respect to any Principal Property with any person (other than the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary) unless either (a) the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary would be entitled, pursuant to the provisions set forth above under
"Limitation on Liens," to incur Funded Debt in a principal amount equal to or
exceeding the Value of such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction secured by a Lien on
the Principal Property to be leased without equally and ratably securing the
Debt Securities, or (b) the Company, during the four-month period after the
effective date of such transaction, applies to the voluntary retirement of its
Funded Debt an amount equal to the greater of: (1) the net proceeds of the sale
of the Principal Property leased in such transaction or (2) the fair market
value in the good faith opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company of the
Principal Property at the time such transaction was entered into. (Section
10.09.)
 
Certain Definitions
 
     "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the total amount of assets (less
applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting
therefrom (i) all current liabilities (excluding any thereof which are by their
terms extendible or renewable at the option of the obligor thereon to a time
more than 12 months after the time as of which the amount thereof is being
computed) and (ii) all segregated goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents,
unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, all as set
forth on the most recent balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries and prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
     "Funded Debt" means all indebtedness for borrowed money having a maturity
of more than 12 months from the date as of which the amount thereof is to be
determined or having a maturity of less than 12 months but by its terms being
renewable or extendible beyond 12 months from such date at the option of the
borrower.
 
     "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance or security interest
of any kind.
 
     "Principal Property" means all timberlands, land, buildings, machinery and
equipment, and leasehold interests and improvements in respect of the foregoing,
which would be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, excluding all such tangible property located outside the United
States, Canada and New Zealand (including their respective territories and
possessions) and excluding any such property which, in the opinion of the Board
of Directors set forth in a Board Resolution, is not material to the Company and
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
 
     "Restricted Subsidiary" is defined as any Subsidiary (a) substantially all
of the property of which is located in the United States, Canada or New Zealand
(including their respective territories and possessions) and which owns a
Principal Property; provided, however, that no Subsidiary shall be a Restricted
Subsidiary if pursuant to this clause (a) (i) the total assets of such
Subsidiary are less than 10% of the total assets of the Company and its
consolidated Subsidiaries (including such Subsidiary) in each case as set forth
on the most recent fiscal year-end balance sheets of such Subsidiary and the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, respectively, and computed in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or (ii) in the
judgment of the Board of Directors, as evidenced by a Board Resolution, the
Company determines that such Subsidiary is not material to the financial
condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (b) that is
designated as a Restricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors, as evidenced by
a Board Resolution. As of the date of this Prospectus the subsidiaries of
Rayonier which meet the definition of Restricted Subsidiaries are Rayonier
Timberlands, L.P., Rayonier Timberlands Operating Company, L.P. and Rayonier New
Zealand Limited.
 
     "Sale and Lease-Back Transaction" means any arrangement with any bank,
insurance company or other lender or investor, or to which any such lender or
investor is a party, providing for the leasing by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary for a period, including renewals, in excess of three years of any
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
Principal Property of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary which has been or
is to be sold or transferred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to such
lender or investor or to any person to which funds have been or are to be
advanced by such lender or investor on the security of such Principal Property.
 
     "Subsidiary" means (i) any corporation of which at the time of
determination the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries owns or controls
directly or indirectly more than 50% of the outstanding shares of voting stock
or (ii) any other Person (other than a corporation) in which the Company or one
or more Subsidiaries directly or indirectly owns or controls more than 50% of
the voting interests therein or otherwise has the power to direct the policies,
management and affairs thereof.
 
     "Value" means, with respect to a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, as of any
particular time, the amount equal to the greater of (i) the net proceeds of the
sale or transfer of the Principal Property leased pursuant to such Sale and
Lease-Back Transaction and (ii) the fair market value, in the good faith opinion
of the Board of Directors, of such Principal Property at the time of entering
into such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, in either case divided first by the
number of full years of the term of the lease and then multiplied by the number
of full years of such term remaining at the time of determination, without
regard to any renewal or extension options contained in the lease.
 
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
 
     Modification and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company and
the Trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected thereby;
provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the
consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby, (i)
change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest
on, any Outstanding Debt Security; (ii) reduce the principal amount of, or the
rate of interest on or any premium payable upon the redemption of, or the amount
of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and
payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity of, any Outstanding
Debt Security; (iii) change the Place of Payment, or the coin or currency in
which any Outstanding Debt Security or the interest thereon is payable; (iv)
impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with
respect to any Outstanding Debt Security after the Stated Maturity; or (v)
change the provisions of the Indenture relating to amendments of the Indenture
requiring the consent of the affected Holders for waiver of compliance with
certain provisions of the Indenture or waiver of past defaults. (Section 9.02.)
 
     The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of each series may on behalf of the Holders of all Debt Securities of
that series waive, insofar as the series is concerned, compliance by the Company
with certain restrictive covenants of the Indenture. (Section 10.10.) The
Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of that series waive any
past default under the Indenture with respect to that series of Debt Securities,
except a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any), or any
interest on, or payment into any sinking fund on, any Debt Security of that
series or in respect of a provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified
or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security
of that series affected. (Section 5.13.)
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     The Indenture provides that the following shall constitute Events of
Default with respect to any series of Debt Securities: (i) default for 30 days
in the payment of any interest when due; (ii) default in the payment of
principal (or premium, if any) at Maturity; (iii) default in the payment of any
sinking fund or analogous payments; (iv) default in the performance of any other
covenant in the Indenture for 60 days after written notice thereof; (v) certain
events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; (vi) acceleration of
indebtedness for borrowed money in excess of $10,000,000, which acceleration
shall not have been rescinded or annulled within 30 days after notice; or (vii)
any other Event of Default provided in the applicable Board Resolution or
supplemental indenture under which such series of Debt
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
Securities is issued. (Section 5.01.) The Company is required to furnish the
Trustee annually with a statement as to the fulfillment by the Company of its
obligations under the Indenture. (Section 10.06.) The Indenture provides that
the Trustee may withhold notice to the Holders of the Debt Securities of any
default (except in respect of the payment of principal or interest on the Debt
Securities) if it considers it in the interest of the Holders to do so. (Section
6.02.)
 
     If an Event of Default with respect to Outstanding Debt Securities of any
series occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the
Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the Debt
Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion
of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all
the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a
notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and
upon any such declaration such principal shall become immediately due and
payable. However, at any time after a declaration or acceleration with respect
to Debt Securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree
for payment of the money due has been obtained, the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may, subject to
certain conditions, rescind and annul such declaration. (Section 5.02.)
 
     Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the
Trustee, in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing the Trustee
shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders, unless such
Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity.
(Section 6.03.) Subject to such provisions for the security or indemnification
of the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding
Debt Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee,
or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the
Debt Securities of that series. (Section 5.12.)
 
     No Holder of any Debt Security of any series will have any right to
institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy
thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee
written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities
of that series and unless the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of that series shall have made written request, and
offered reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as
trustee, and, within 60 days following the receipt of such notice, the Trustee
shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series a direction inconsistent with
such request, and the Trustee shall have failed to institute such proceeding.
(Section 5.07.) However, the Holder of any Debt Security will have an absolute
right to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest
on such Debt Security on or after the due dates expressed in such Debt Security
and to institute a suit for the enforcement of any such payment. (Section 5.08.)
 
DEFEASANCE OF DEBT SECURITIES AND CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
     The Company, at its option, either (a) will be discharged from any and all
obligations with respect to any series of Debt Securities (except for certain
obligations to register the transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, replace
stolen, lost or mutilated Debt Securities, maintain paying agencies and hold
moneys for payment in trust) or (b) will cease to be under any obligation to
comply with certain restrictive covenants of the Indenture with respect to any
Debt Securities, upon the deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of money or U.S.
government securities or securities of U.S. government agencies backed by the
full faith and credit of the U.S. government, or a combination thereof, which
through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with
their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal
and interest on such series of Debt Securities on the dates such payments are
due in accordance with the terms of the Debt Securities. To exercise any such
option, no Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time would
become an Event of Default with respect to such series of Debt Securities shall
have occurred and be continuing. The Company is required to deliver to the
Trustee an opinion of counsel (i) to the effect that the deposit and related
defeasance
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
would not cause the holders of the Debt Securities to recognize income, gain or
loss for Federal income tax purposes and, in the case of a discharge pursuant to
clause (a), accompanied by a ruling to such effect from the United States
Internal Revenue Service and (ii) with respect to certain other matters.
(Sections 4.01 and 4.03.)
 
CHANGES IN CONTROL AND HIGHLY LEVERAGED TRANSACTIONS
 
     The Indenture does not contain provisions requiring redemption of the Debt
Securities by the Company, or adjustment to any terms of the Debt Securities,
upon any change in control of the Company.
 
     Other than restrictions on Liens and Sale and Lease-Back Transactions
described under "Covenants" above, the Indenture does not contain any covenants
or other provisions designed to afford holders of the Debt Securities protection
in the event of a highly leveraged transaction involving the Company.
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
     Bankers Trust Company, a New York banking corporation, will act as trustee
for the Debt Securities, and acts as depositary for funds of, makes loans to,
and performs other services for, the Company and its subsidiaries in the normal
course of business.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company may sell the Debt Securities (i) through underwriters or
dealers; (ii) directly to one or more purchasers; or (iii) through agents. The
Prospectus Supplement with respect to the Debt Securities being offered thereby
sets forth the terms of the offering of such Debt Securities, including the name
or names of any underwriters, the purchase price of such Debt Securities and the
proceeds to the Company from such sale, any underwriting discounts and other
items constituting underwriters' compensation, any initial public offering
price, any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and
any securities exchange on which such Debt Securities may be listed. Only
underwriters so named in the Prospectus Supplement are deemed to be underwriters
in connection with the Debt Securities offered thereby.
 
     If underwriters are used in the sale, the Debt Securities will be acquired
by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in
one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public
offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The
obligations of the underwriters to purchase such Debt Securities will be subject
to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to
purchase all the Debt Securities of the series offered by the Company's
Prospectus Supplement if any of such Debt Securities are purchased. Any initial
public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or
paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
 
     Debt Securities may also be sold directly by the Company or through agents
designated by the Company from time to time. Any agent involved in the offering
and sale of the Debt Securities will be named, and any commissions payable by
the Company to such agent will be set forth, in the Prospectus Supplement.
Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any such agent is
acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
 
     If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will authorize
agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain institutional
investors to purchase Debt Securities providing for payment and delivery on a
future date specified in the Prospectus Supplement. There may be limitations on
the minimum amount which may be purchased by any such institutional investor or
on the portion of the aggregate principal amount of the particular Debt
Securities which may be sold pursuant to such arrangements. Institutional
investors to which such offers may be made, when authorized, include commercial
and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies,
education and charitable institutions and such other institutions as may be
approved by the Company. The obligations of any such purchasers pursuant to such
delayed delivery and payment arrangements will not be subject to any conditions
except (i) the purchase by an institution of the particular Debt Securities
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
shall not at any time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any
jurisdiction in the United States to which such institution is subject and (ii)
if the particular Debt Securities are being sold to underwriters, the Company
shall have sold to such underwriters the total principal amount of such Debt
Securities less the principal amount thereof covered by such arrangements. The
agents, underwriters or dealers soliciting such offers will not have any
responsibility with respect to the validity of such arrangements or the
performance of the Company or such institutional investors thereunder.
 
     Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of
the Debt Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or
commissions received by them from the Company and any profit on the resale of
Debt Securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and
commissions, under the Act. Under agreements which may be entered into by the
Company, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of
Debt Securities may be entitled to indemnification by the Company against
certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Act, or to
contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents
may be required to make with respect thereto. Underwriters, dealers and agents
may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, the Company or its
subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their respective businesses.
 
     Underwriters may offer and sell the Offered Securities at a fixed price or
prices, which may be changed, or from time to time at market prices prevailing
at the time of sales, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at
negotiated prices.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the validity of
the Offered Securities will be passed upon for the Company by John B. Canning,
Esq., Corporate Secretary and Associate General Counsel of the Company, and for
the underwriters or agents, as the case may be, by Cravath, Swaine & Moore, 825
Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10019.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The audited financial statements and schedules incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus and elsewhere in the Registration Statement, to the extent and
for the periods indicated in their report, have been audited by Arthur Andersen
LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect
thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in giving said report.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
     Estimated expenses payable by Rayonier in connection with the offering
herein described are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
    <S>                                                           <C>
    Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.........  $ 29,500
    Printing registration statement, prospectus and other
      documents.................................................    10,000
    Trustee's fees and expenses.................................     7,500
    Legal fees..................................................    35,000
    Accountants' fees...........................................     6,000
    Rating agencies' fees.......................................    97,500
    Miscellaneous...............................................    14,500
                                                                  --------
         Total..................................................  $200,000
                                                                  ========
</TABLE>
 
     All amounts are estimates except for the registration fee payable to the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     The North Carolina Business Corporation Act provides that the registrant
may indemnify officers and directors who are parties in actual or threatened
lawsuits and other proceedings against reasonable expenses, judgments,
penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement. North Carolina law further
provides that a corporation may purchase insurance, providing for the
indemnification of officers and directors whether or not the corporation would
have the power to indemnify them against such liability under the provisions of
the North Carolina law.
 
     Reference is made to Article VI of the Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation of the Company filed as an exhibit to Rayonier's Registration
Statement on Form S-8 filed on February 28, 1994 (Registration No. 33-52437).
 
     The Company has in effect insurance policies indemnifying the directors and
officers of Rayonier and its subsidiaries, against civil liabilities of such
directors and officers.
 
     Reference is made to the form of indemnification agreement between Rayonier
and each of its directors and officers, filed as an exhibit to Rayonier's Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993.
 
     Any underwriters, dealers or agents who execute any of the Underwriting
Agreements referred to in Exhibit 1 to this Registration Statement will agree to
indemnify Rayonier's directors and its officers who signed the Registration
Statement against certain liabilities which might arise under the Act from
information furnished to Rayonier by or on behalf of any such indemnifying
party.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   17
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                        DESCRIPTION                                  LOCATION
- -----------   -----------------------------------------------------   ----------------------------
<C>           <S>                                                     <C>
  1.1         Form of Underwriting Agreement                          Incorporated by reference to
                                                                      Exhibit 1.1 to the Company's
                                                                      Registration Statement on
                                                                      Form S-3 (No. 33-52855)
  1.2         Form of Distribution Agreement                          Incorporated by reference to
                                                                      Exhibit 1.2 to the Company's
                                                                      Registration Statement on
                                                                      Form S-3 (No. 33-52855)
  4.1         Indenture dated as of September 1, 1992 between the     Incorporated by reference
              Company and Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee, with     to Exhibit 4.1 to the
              respect to certain debt securities of the Company.      Company's Annual Report on
                                                                      Form 10-K for its fiscal
                                                                      year ended December 31, 1993
                                                                      (the "1993 10-K")
  4.2         First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December      Incorporated by reference to
              13, 1993                                                Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's
                                                                      1993 10-K
  4.4         Specimen Form of Debenture                              Incorporated by reference to
                                                                      Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's
                                                                      Registration Statement on
                                                                      Form S-3 (No. 33-52855)
  4.5         Specimen Form of Series C Medium-Term Fixed Rate Note   Incorporated by reference to
                                                                      Exhibit 4.5 to the Company's
                                                                      Registration Statement on
                                                                      Form S-3 (No. 33-52855),
                                                                      except that all references
                                                                      to "Series B" shall be read
                                                                      as references to "Series C"
  4.6         Specimen Form of Series C Medium-Term Floating Rate     Incorporated by reference to
              Note                                                    Exhibit 4.6 to the Company's
                                                                      Registration Statement on
                                                                      Form S-3 (No. 33-52855),
                                                                      except that all references
                                                                      to "Series B" shall be read
                                                                      as references to "Series C".
   5          Opinion of John B. Canning, Esq. with respect to the    Previously submitted
              legality of the securities registered hereby.
 23.1         Consent of independent public accountants.              Filed herewith
 23.2         Consent of John B. Canning, Esq. (See Exhibit 5)        Previously submitted
  24          Powers of Attorney.                                     Previously submitted
  25          Statement as to eligibility of Trustee.                 Previously submitted
</TABLE>
    
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
     (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made of
the securities registered hereby, a post-effective amendment to this
registration statement:
 
          (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Act;
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   18
 
          (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
     the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
     post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
     represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
     registration statement; and
 
          (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of
     distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
     material change to such information in the registration statement;
 
provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraph (i) and (ii)
above do not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports
filed by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Exchange
Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
 
     (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Act, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
 
     (4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Act, each
filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section
15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee
benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that
is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
 
     (5) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant
pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or otherwise (but that
term shall not extend to the insurance policies referred to in said Item 15),
the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
     (6) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility
of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture
Act, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act") in accordance with the rules and
regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust
Indenture Act.
 
     (7) For purposes of determining any liability under the Act, the
information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1), 424(b)(4), or
479(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
     (8) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Act, each
post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   19
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Stamford, State of Connecticut on the 14th day of
August 1998.
    
 
                                          RAYONIER INC.
 
                                          By:     /s/ RONALD M. GROSS
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name  Ronald M. Gross
                                            Title   Chairman of the Board and
                                                    Chief Executive Officer
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                    TITLE                    DATE
                      ---------                                    -----                    ----
<S>                                                    <C>                             <C>
                 /s/ RONALD M. GROSS                       Chairman of the Board,      August 14, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------     Chief Executive Officer
                   Ronald M. Gross                              and Director
            (Principal Executive Officer)
 
                /s/ GERALD J. POLLACK                    Senior Vice President and     August 14, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------     Chief Financial Officer
                  Gerald J. Pollack
            (Principal Financial Officer)
 
               /s/ KENNETH P. JANETTE                   Vice President and Corporate   August 14, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------            Controller
                 Kenneth P. Janette
           (Principal Accounting Officer)
 
                          *                                      President,
- -----------------------------------------------------     Chief Operating Officer
                    W. Lee Nutter                               and Director
 
                          *                                       Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Rand V. Araskog
 
                          *                                       Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Donald W. Griffin
 
                          *                                       Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Paul G. Kirk, Jr.
 
                          *                                       Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Katherine D. Ortega
 
                          *                                       Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Burnell R. Roberts
 
                          *                                       Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Carl S. Sloane
 
                          *                                       Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
               Nicholas L. Trivisonno
 
                          *                                       Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Gordon I. Ulmer
 
*By: /s/ GERALD J. POLLACK                                                             August 14, 1998
     ------------------------------------------------
     Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   20
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                        DESCRIPTION                                  LOCATION
- -----------   -----------------------------------------------------   ----------------------------
<C>           <S>                                                     <C>
  1.1         Form of Underwriting Agreement                          Incorporated by reference to
                                                                      Exhibit 1.1 to the Company's
                                                                      Registration Statement on
                                                                      Form S-3 (No. 33-52855)
  1.2         Form of Distribution Agreement                          Incorporated by reference to
                                                                      Exhibit 1.2 to the Company's
                                                                      Registration Statement on
                                                                      Form S-3 (No. 33-52855)
  4.1         Indenture dated as of September 1, 1992 between the     Incorporated by reference
              Company and Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee, with     to Exhibit 4.1 to the
              respect to certain debt securities of the Company.      Company's Annual Report on
                                                                      Form 10-K for its fiscal
                                                                      year ended December 31, 1993
                                                                      (the "1993 10-K")
  4.2         First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December      Incorporated by reference to
              13, 1993                                                Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's
                                                                      1993 10-K
  4.4         Specimen Form of Debenture                              Incorporated by reference to
                                                                      Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's
                                                                      Registration Statement on
                                                                      Form S-3 (No. 33-52855)
  4.5         Specimen Form of Series C Medium-Term Fixed Rate Note   Incorporated by reference to
                                                                      Exhibit 4.5 to the Company's
                                                                      Registration Statement on
                                                                      Form S-3 (No. 33-52855),
                                                                      except that all references
                                                                      to "Series B" shall be read
                                                                      as references to "Series C"
  4.6         Specimen Form of Series C Medium-Term Floating Rate     Incorporated by reference to
              Note                                                    Exhibit 4.6 to the Company's
                                                                      Registration Statement on
                                                                      Form S-3 (No. 33-52855),
                                                                      except that all references
                                                                      to "Series B" shall be read
                                                                      as references to "Series C".
   5          Opinion of John B. Canning, Esq. with respect to the    Previously submitted
              legality of the securities registered hereby.
 23.1         Consent of independent public accountants.              Filed herewith
 23.2         Consent of John B. Canning, Esq. (See Exhibit 5)        Previously submitted
  24          Powers of Attorney.                                     Previously submitted
  25          Statement as to eligibility of Trustee.                 Previously submitted
</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 23.1

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement of our report dated January 21, 1998
included in Rayonier Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and
to all references to our Firm included in this registration statement.

/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP


   
Stamford, Connecticut
August 14, 1998
    


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