What do you think a tree with no leaves symbolize?

I've been looking at tattoos of trees lately and I've noticed that nearly all of the trees I see have no leaves, just branches. What do you think it means? I was thinking of getting one myself but I wanted a tattoo that was meaningful. I want a tattoo that will represent myself, my pain, my struggles, my ups and downs, and my strength. A tree would be perfect, I'm just curious why trees with just branches? Nevertheless, it does look gorgeous..