Lichen and bryophyte diversity is often exceptional in old rainforests of the temperate zone, but these forests occupy only a very small fraction of their former extent. Epiphyte diversity changes along the vertical gradient of a tree, but in Nova Scotia, Canada, no studies have investigated higher canopy strata, leaving the composition of epiphytes in these habitats uncharacterized. In this study, we explore arboreal lichen and bryophyte communities in the lower crown and lower bole of old eastern hemlock trees. We examined 27 trees at 9 sites across Nova Scotia, Canada. Each tree was surveyed using visual percent-cover estimates at the lower bole and in the lower crown. Single rope ascension was used to access the lower crown with minimal impact on epiphyte communities or tree cambium health. Habitat properties were also recorded, including bark pH, tree girth and height, and canopy cover. Results showed higher pH, and greater richness and cover of macrolichens in the lower crown compared to the lower bole, whereas bryophyte species richness and microlichen cover were both greater on the lower bole of host trees compared to the lower crown. Macrolichen diversity, as represented by Shannon's index (H'), did not differ in relation to habitat, but it increased from the northeast to the southwest of the province. Our results provide a baseline for lichen and bryophyte diversity on old eastern hemlock.