gistfile1.txt

I have the following in my master config:

ext_pillar:
  - file_tree:
      root_dir: /srv/pillar_tree
      follow_dir_links: False
      keep_newline: True

And the following test file on the master:
/srv/pillar_tree/hosts/se8.vampire/hostcert.pem

When I execute the following:

salt se8.vampire saltutil.refresh_pillar ; salt se8.vampire pillar.items

I don't see an reference to hostcert.pem and, indeed, I can't reference it from the state:

          ID: /etc/grid-security/hostcert.pem
    Function: file.managed
      Result: False
     Comment: Pillar hostcert.pem does not exist
     Changes:

But, the master appears to be properly configured (this is from the master section of pillar.items)
        ext_pillar:
            |_
              ----------
              file_tree:
                  ----------
                  follow_dir_links:
                      False
                  keep_newline:
                      True
                  root_dir:
                      /srv/pillar_tree