"Lars S" wrote in message
news:2005031311554816807%larsstole@gsbuchicagoedu. ..
I recently acquired over a dozen 42"x12"x1-3/4" white oak stair treads
from a rennovation site of a 100-year-old greystone. This would be a
gloat, except I already spent a day getting them from the construciton
site, pulling nails, and cleaning them off. And, the biggest problem,
most of them are significantly cupped from being exposed to a few onths
of rain and melting snow. The cupping is about 1/2" to 3/4" across the
12" width of most of the treads.

Here's my question. If I sticker the treads for a while (how long?)

Month or two. 1% per week is a reasonable rate for indoors equalization.

will the cupping reverse over time?

Mostly. Some "set" might have taken place which is not reversable.

If not, I can easily plane off
1/2" of material and make some very nice, flat 1-1/2" boards (I'm
thinking two side tables and a matching coffee table), but I don't want
the planks to reverse-cup once I've made a nice table top. I'm a bit
impatient, so I would prefer not to wait a year to use the wood.

About stair treads - they've got a buttload of sand and stuff ground into
the upper surface. If you can get that sanded off, I'm sure your planer
will thank you.