Fireblight

Fireblight is a bacterial disease that damages only a select few of plants including pear, apple, hawthorn, and roses.  Fireblight causes a sudden wilting, shriveling, and blackening or browning of shoots, blossoms, and fruit.  Rapid infestations of extensive portions of the plant give it a scorched appearance with dead leaves remaining on the branches.  This bacteria infect new growth through the flowers during the spring and spreads throughout the branches.  Serious infestations can kill plants rather rapidly.  Depending on the size of the trees injections of fungicide are available.