A system and method is disclosed for providing an adaptive value of a TTL (Time to Live) count for broadcast/multicast messages in a wireless mesh network using a hybrid wireless mesh protocol. A mesh point controller is provided that adaptively selects the value of the TTL count and routes the broadcast/multicast message through the wireless mesh network based on the adaptively selected value of the TTL count. The adaptive selection of the TTL count in accordance with the principles of the invention significantly reduces the number of broadcast/multicast messages that must be transmitted (flooded) through the mesh network.