Question
QUESTION: We found a tree in our back yard that for years grew, but produced nothing. This is what we found this past weekend. It looks like some sort of nut but we are unable to identify it. Can you help or steer me in the right direction?  Thank you
PS - I tried to send photo but I'm not sure it worked. Can you tell me how?

ANSWER: You can send the picture to [email protected] and i will see if I can ID it. If you  have them send a picture of the leaves, bark and fruit. Also let me know in what part of the world you live, This will help in narrowing down the possibilities. Thanks

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm sorry, I forgot to mention in the e-mail that I live in the Mid-west,,, Wisconsin

Answer
This is a hickory tree. There are 18 species of deciduous timber and nut-producing hickory trees that constitute the genus Carya of the walnut family (Juglandaceae). About 15 species of hickory are native to eastern North America, and 3 to eastern Asia.
Hickories are deciduous trees with branches having solid pith.  Leaves are alternate with the leaflets arranged in an odd-pinnate pattern.  Fruit is a husked nut and is often edible.

Here is how to tell the difference. This is called a key start with I. and see if this fits the description of the tree if not go to II. Do the same with the next set A and AA. Your tree has 7 leaflets probally II. then AA from what I can tell. You will have to feel the leavea to tell if they a hairy or smooth. I am leaning toward mockernut or Shellbark.   
I.  Buds are valvate to foliate and sulphur yellow in color. Leaflets are 3 1/4? inches (8 1/2?5 cm) long. Five to nine leaflets are borne in an odd-pinnate pattern. Leaf scars are large and broad.
 Carya (Hicoria) cordiformis朆itternut Hickory
II.  Buds have overlapping scales. Three to nine leaflets are borne in an odd-pinnate pattern. Branches are stout and coarse. Leaf scars are large and circular.
 A.  Terminal buds are small, 1/4?/2 inch (6?3 mm) long.
   |.  Branchlets and leaflets are glabrous. Leaves have three to seven, usually five, leaflets. Bark is dark gray, fissured, and tightly held.
     Carya (Hicoria) glabra朠ignut Hickory
   ||.  Branchlets and leaflets are scarcely pubescent. Leaves have five to seven, usually five, leaflets. Bark is dark gray, fissured, and closely held.
     Carya ( Hicoria) ovalis朢ed Hickory
 AA.  Terminal buds are larger and are 1/2? inch (13?5 mm) or longer.
   |.  Twigs are densely woolly, or hairy, and bright brown in color. Leaves contain seven to nine leaflets. Foliage is very fragrant when crushed. Bark is ridged and closely held.
     Carya (Hicoria) tomentosa朚ockernut Hickory
   ||.  Twigs are glabrous, or only slightly hairy, when young. Bark is shaggy and breaks into plates that are shed.
     a.  Leaves have five, rarely seven, leaflets. The upper leaflets are larger than the lower ones. Twigs have light reddish-brown bark.
       Carya (Hicoria) ovata?Shagbark Hickory
     aa.  Leaves have seven to nine leaflets. Twigs have orange bark.
       Carya (Hicoria) laciniosa朣hellbark Hickory


Here is a web link that should help in determining which hickory you have if you really want to know.
http://ohioline.osu.edu/b700/b700_23.html