What kind of tree has large red thorns?

I used to live on a farm on the border of southern Minnesota/South Dakota. On our property near our house we had these trees that would bud in the spring, and have flowers, but then the rest of the year would have these large burgundy colored thorns. It would never have any leaves, and the trunk was always free of thorns. It was always on the tips of the branches like they were leaves. I've tried looking it up and cannot find it anywhere. I would have taken pictures but we moved away from that house years ago, and it is no longer available to the public. Any information or pictures would be great.