We have a bunch too. The shells are hard to crack, and the meats are a bit difficult to get out. They taste really good like a pecan.
The Indians supposedly boiled them shells and all to make a broth that they used in soups. We bring in a few, but leave the rest for the critters.
We get so many walnuts and butternuts that keeps us busy cracking and getting out the nutmeats, vacuum pack and freeze till ready to use.
Pecans are known as “the Cadillac of hickories.”