Quote Originally Posted by edvalais View Post
Sorry, this is quite a specific question. I know this can mean a lime tree and a forgery (poddelka). Can you use it for a forged/sham/doctored photograph? Thanks!
Sure, it can be.

Two cops are looking at the photograph in a passport:
- Мне кажется, или это подделка?
- Да, явная липа!
- Теперь и я вижу, фотография липовая.

"Липа" means "fake" in general. It may be everything (especially if it's made for the criminal purpose). Also we use the adjective "липовый" as a slangy synonym of "поддельный".