Prune in very early spring. Study the skeleton of the tree at this time and prune to shape. I tip-prune after each wave of blooms to extend the flowering season. My Bradford pear has shriveling branches and brown leaves. I noticed it on others when I'm out walking.
Fire blight is a bacterial disease that attacks pears.
This causes the tips of branches to bend so that they look more or less like a shepherd's crook. The leaves darken, wilt, curl and remain on the trees. Prune out any affected branches you can reach. Disinfect your clippers after each cut. The Bradfords in our garden are so tall, some upper branches that are occasionally stricken with fire blight have to fend for themselves.