Hello, Mary Jane.

Thanks for including an image of your pear tree. I agree that it needs pruning. There are many crossed branches that could be cleared to allow for more air circulation, light exposure, and growth. I’m curious about your tree’s age. I say that because there are different guidelines for new and mature trees. Some of that is mentioned in the sources I’ve included in my message.

I am not a tree care advisor or arborist, so I searched for reliable, evidence-based sources that provide information about pruning pear trees. From the U of M Extension’s Growing Pear Trees in the Home Garden, I read these tips for pruning an established pear tree:

• Decide which branch is or will be the leader
• Then decide which branches you are going to save based on the branch position around the trunk
• At this stage, pruning out a few large branches in year one will open the tree up and increase light and air flow
• Don't prune too much or the tree will put all its energy into making new branches and not fruit
• During year 2, make a few more decisions on where branches should remain and remove a few more
• Follow the general pruning guidelines to prune out branches that are diseased or broken

I found that resource to be detailed and informative. It supports your idea to choose a central leader. 

The Colorado State University Extension publication called The Art of Fruit Tree Pruning  has tips for pruning on page two of the document, some information about tree rehabilitation on page three (including how to make the height more manageable), and some specific information about pear trees on page five. The Cornell Cooperative Extension Pruning Fruit Trees, Grapes, and Berries document echoes much of that information at the top of page one.

I also looked for similar questions and responses in the Ask Extension database, and though this is not exactly your pear tree situation, some of it seems relevant to the care of your tree. Click here to view that information.

Finally, you could consider getting a quote from a local arborist for pruning the pear tree. There is a link toward the bottom of the DNR page titled Find an Arborist near you.  If you choose to hire somebody this year, you could observe what is done, ask questions about the decisions, take notes (and possibly photographs), and proceed on your own with the pruning in the coming years. To use the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) Find an Arborist tool, watch the video on the their webpage or enter your location information to get a list of arborists closer to you.

I hope this is somewhat helpful for you. 

Sincerely,

Julie

Sources:

https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-pears

https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/ec1233/2018/pdf/view/ec1233-2018.pdf

https://sam.extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/64/2021/05/The-Art-of-Fruit-Tree-Pruning.pdf

https://ccelivingstoncounty.org/resources/pruning-fruit-trees-grapes-and-berries

https://ask.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=858697

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/treecare/hiring-arborist.html