My neighbor is replacing the steps on his place, asking me about using softwood 1x12s instead of the very expensive hardwoods. My extensive youtube/wikipedia research implies an underlayment of 3/4 advantec is the modern approach, but with wear and tear on pine vs cherry or maple I’ve found no long term experience.
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https://www.lowes.com/pd/11-25-in-x-36-in-Unfinished-Pine-Stair-Tread/4759154?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-mlw-_-google-_-lia-_-122-_-stairparts-_-4759154-_-0&placeholder=null&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuZuahaOo7wIVSFXVCh3w2w3bEAQYAiABEgJPLPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Full inch thick, rolled front edge, treads. Our local yard stocks them for usual carpeted stair application. Bare, would nick and scratch. Mottled look when stained. I suppose in the right application, would be “rustic”. 11-1/4”. Local yard, comes 14-16 ft.
The finish goes a long way on whatever species used. Soft wood is more prone to marring over time but some folks like the character. Have had good luck with the products from the following site and with the finished products(aluminum oxide), most of the leg work is already done saving time, effort and money.
https://www.stair-treads.com/
why is he replacing the treads? what's the final finish on the treads?
if the treads are "worn" but going to covered with carpet, soft wood is probably fine as only the edges would show and nobody would be walking on them.
if the treads are going to be "bare" wood, then the daily abrasive use of shoes/footwear will wear off the finish and then the wood over time
good luck
other quick thought is to use prefinished strip flooring and run a bullnose on the last piece to make it a "tread" - if the riser is open, you could fasten it from underneath and use contruction adhesive to hold it in place
couple of quick thoughts
good luck