Far out! If you think I could get them to germinate, and you think your version might be winter hardy, I'm in! Over the past 50 years I've had good luck with Oaks, Horse Chestnut, Buckeye, Walnut and some success with Kentucky Coffeetree nuts but I've never had any luck germinating Shagbark Hickory.
Well, I if ever there was a time to dig out some of my old plant propagation info, this would be it.
Basically, all the Hickories ripen in September-October and should be picked or collected off the ground then. Isolated trees have a decent percentage of aborts and weevils get into them so cut a few and check to see they're good.
Keep in an open bucket for about a week until the husks change colour and split. If you can peel the husks easily, it should be good. You can soak for several hours to help with the peeling.
Don't let the seeds dry out after peeling.
Plant in the fall or cold (moist) stratify in the refrigerator for a minimum of 120 days before planting.
The trick to Kentucky coffee tree is to file a bit of the seed coat off before soaking for 24 hours. After that they will germinate in about 2 weeks.
Chestnut doesn't have too much info. They don't like drying out (which might make shipping more difficult -- a ziplock baggie and some damp vermiculite or sand would probably do the trick) and plant in October preferably, otherwise 150 days in the fridge.
This is all Henry Kock's work. He literally wrote the book on growing native plants from seed. If anybody wants info on how to start a tree or shrub that grows naturally in the north east there is a good chance I can tell you how to go about it and would be happy to pass the info along.