Methods and systems for improved pinning of file system subtrees are provided. In one aspect, a method is provided that includes receiving an identifier of a base directory within a file system tree. A plurality of subnodes of the base directory may be identified within the file system tree. At least a subset of the subnodes may be temporarily pinned to a plurality of metadata servers (MDSs). Pinning each respective subnode of the at least a subset of subnodes may include hashing an identifier of the respective subnode to generate a hashed value corresponding to a particular MDS and assigning the particular MDS to store and manage metadata for a subdirectory associated with the respective subnode.